Following the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake , some residents of San Francisco were forced to camp outdoors while buildings were inspected ; more destitute citizens were forced out of their subsidized single room occupancy hotels and many made their way to Camp Agnos . Agnos again ordered encampments removed in July 1990 , but refused to move the homeless people to another site until two permanent shelters could be built , which opened later that year . The long delay in opening shelters and the mayor 's seeming acceptance of Camp Agnos contributed to Agnos 's defeat in the re-election campaign of 1991
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Civic Center Plaza