A place called safe

A stroll down Sacramento city streets reveals many fellow Sacramentans setting up makeshift homes for the night in business entryways, underneath stairs or in alleys.

Homelessness is not a new issue, but following the economic collapse, it certainly became more prominent—thanks to freaking Oprah. Such international media attention about Sacramento’s “tent city” could have been helpful to exposing the issues of homelessness. Instead, it freaked out many “world-class city” proponents.

However, some organizations, such as Loaves & Fishes, Francis House and Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee, are working to help homeless people by finding safe places for them live—a place they can feel at home.

Safe Ground Sacramento will host a film premier of Searching for Safe Ground, a documentary by Costa Mantis, Wednesday night at the Guild Theater. Mantis also directed the 2009 film Live From Tent City: The Last 21 Days, which documented 21 days in the life of homeless people residing in Sacramento’s former tent city, including their eviction by government officials.

His latest film follows Sacramento homeless people as they campaign for “safe ground,” a safe spot for them to live, which includes a secure location, clean water and sewage, and access to services that can help get the homeless back on their feet.