They slept on a gym floor until they were fortunate enough to win the housing lottery.


The article tells the story of Margarita Solito, a mother who traveled from El Salvador to San Francisco with her family and faced homelessness. They spent nights outside a school gymnasium, waiting for it to be converted into a shelter. The challenges they faced shed light on the larger crisis of family homelessness in San Francisco, particularly for migrant families seeking asylum. Despite receiving fewer migrants than other major cities, San Francisco was unprepared for the families arriving and had a growing waiting list for private shelter. The family's struggle and advocacy efforts eventually paid off when they secured housing through a city housing lottery. The article also covers the broader issues of family homelessness in San Francisco and the city's response, including a new city budget that includes funding for emergency hotel vouchers and rent subsidies for homeless families. Margarita Solito's family, which includes her husband and four children, transitioned from living in a school shelter to a subsidized apartment. The article ends with the family's hope for a better future, but also notes that their immigration status remains uncertain. Overall, the article highlights the challenges faced by migrant families in San Francisco and the complexities of the city's response to family homelessness.



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