This is the photo of a trunk; it was a tree cut down on the streets of the Mission. It is a representation of how the destruction of decent housing opportunities affects us: we are shredded, cut down, and hopeless. For me it is very sad because I have lived in the Mission for 16 years, and my children were born and raised here. It is they who are most affected, because apart from seeing so many fires and people lying in the street homeless, they are living a state of overcrowding. My children do not get the sleep or rest they need. They do not have the space they need for their welfare. This is occurring due to the lack of affordable housing and the high cost of the condominiums that continue to encroach on our community. We have taken root in the Mission, and we want to see the growth of decent housing opportunities for our children here. This is my hope.

—Aurelia