Samoans living in Public Housing both at Hunters Point and Sunnydale

From the early days when I worked for the United States Army and Presidio of San Francisco - I have developed very strong relationships with the Samoan community.

In recent years - I have gone to out of my way to represent the the adverse affects dumped by the City and County of San Francisco on innocent Samoans.

There is a concerted effort to drive Samoans from Public Housing and no one is doing anything to save those that need help most.

This serious issue is very evident in Public Housing up the hill at Hunters Point by Kiska Road and Middle Point especially.

The Rev. Joe Niumalelega, Fotu Pao Pao, Folole Pao Pao, Faofua Vao Vasa, Lega Niumalelega, Mose Fuau, Sagi Tipilua, Opa Sepologa, Sala Niumalelega, and a host of other Samoans have made their homes at Hunters Point and in other places and contributed to the City and County of San Francisco.

In recent years this City and County of San Francisco has with intent harmed many Samoans living in and around Public Housing. It has done this by dividing the community and targeting some Samoan City officials that have gone out of their way to help this City.

The only Recreational Facility that the Samoans had at Hunters Point was taken away and is now slated to become some Head Start center.

This Head Start Center has been bombarded by Asbestos Friables and we shall see in the future how this City will address this fiasco. The actions of Lennar BVHP LLC on Parcel A have impacted this former Recreational Center.

On another level the City and County of San Francisco continues to treated those that live in Public Housing as second class citizens.

The City's plan is to remove the Samoans from Public Housing and thinks it can execute this plan without a fight.

The Samoans are well organized and waiting for the right moment to act. Please, do not underestimate the will and more the power of the Samoan people.

In the mean time those State and Federal Housing Authorities should investigate the SF Housing Commission and other crones that have adversely impacted the Samoans in particular.

In recent years many Samoans have been evicted and there is no one to save them from their trials and tribulations.

Lack of translation and even less an understanding of their traditions and culture - leave the Samoans vulnerable to the whims and fancies of crooks - that do not care for human lives.

In recent years many Samoans have been found living on the streets in the Tenderloin in San Francisco - this was unheard of before and when I meet these innocent folks many of whom I know and they know me - they feel bad and the feeling is mutual.

San Francisco is a City with a $6 Billion budget but cannot care for those that need help.

It's Care not Cash Program is a joke and does not work.

Samoans as a people have sacrificed more for this Nation - we call the United States then any other ethnic group. More, Samoan Soldiers men and women have died for the United States and continue sacrificing their lives.

It is time the City and County of San Francisco take notice of this calamity and some program on a War Footing in put in place to set the record straight.

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy