Toilets

Regular access to safe restrooms is essential for personal hygiene and managing health conditions, while lack of access can lead people to use unsafe alternatives, increasing health risks and costly cleanup for communities. Ensuring clean and available toilets is safer, more cost-effective, and protects everyone’s health. Click the button below to view a preliminary draft of the SDSU PSJ WaSH report – the perspectives contained in the report are those of the PSJ research team only and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of our funders.

Toilets

Regular access to safe restrooms is essential for personal hygiene and managing health conditions, while lack of access can lead people to use unsafe alternatives, increasing health risks and costly cleanup for communities. Ensuring clean and available toilets is safer, more cost-effective, and protects everyone’s health. Click the button below to view a preliminary draft of the SDSU PSJ WaSH report – the perspectives contained in the report are those of the PSJ research team only and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of our funders.

Insufficient Bathroom Facilities Impact Urban Health

“Attendants are what make the program ‘work.’ Attendants are extremely important for making sure bathrooms are used for what they’re supposed to be used for and to make sure there is a certain level of quality… Generally, if you have a monitor, they can move people along when they are not using the bathroom appropriately. I can’t emphasize enough what staffing does. …usage improved tremendously after addition of an attendant. Police were voicing concern…. They later became boosters of the program.” – WaSH Service Provider

Insufficient Bathroom Facilities Impact Urban Health

“Attendants are what make the program ‘work.’ Attendants are extremely important for making sure bathrooms are used for what they’re supposed to be used for and to make sure there is a certain level of quality… Generally, if you have a monitor, they can move people along when they are not using the bathroom appropriately. I can’t emphasize enough what staffing does. …usage improved tremendously after addition of an attendant. Police were voicing concern…. They later became boosters of the program.” – WaSH Service Provider

Human Needs and Survival Strategies

Restrooms are essential for everyone’s health and dignity. Without access to toilets—especially for those with medical conditions—people are often left to use bottles, bags, or buckets. This not only puts their health at risk, but also creates costly cleanup challenges for communities. Providing public restrooms is a safer, more cost-effective solution that protects both individuals and the broader community. By expanding restroom access, we can prevent disease, lower cleanup costs, and create a healthier, more respectful environment for all Californians.

Human Needs and Survival Strategies

Restrooms are essential for everyone’s health and dignity. Without access to toilets—especially for those with medical conditions—people are often left to use bottles, bags, or buckets. This not only puts their health at risk, but also creates costly cleanup challenges for communities. Providing public restrooms is a safer, more cost-effective solution that protects both individuals and the broader community. By expanding restroom access, we can prevent disease, lower cleanup costs, and create a healthier, more respectful environment for all Californians.

Health Implications

Not having regular access to clean bathrooms and water isn’t just uncomfortable—it can lead to real health problems. When people skip drinking water or “hold it in” because there’s no safe restroom nearby, they risk dehydration and even serious conditions like blood clots. Clean toilets also help stop the spread of diseases, keeping everyone healthier. Access to clean water and sanitation is essential for protecting both personal and community health.

Health Implications

Not having regular access to clean bathrooms and water isn’t just uncomfortable—it can lead to real health problems. When people skip drinking water or “hold it in” because there’s no safe restroom nearby, they risk dehydration and even serious conditions like blood clots. Clean toilets also help stop the spread of diseases, keeping everyone healthier. Access to clean water and sanitation is essential for protecting both personal and community health.

Basic Standards of Care

California doesn’t have enough clean, safe public restrooms, and many close too early to be truly helpful. Too often, the restrooms that are available are run-down and missing basics like soap or toilet paper. The most effective restrooms are accessible to everyone, well-stocked with hygiene essentials, and sometimes even have an attendant to keep things clean and safe—making a real difference for all Californians.

Basic Standards of Care

California doesn’t have enough clean, safe public restrooms, and many close too early to be truly helpful. Too often, the restrooms that are available are run-down and missing basics like soap or toilet paper. The most effective restrooms are accessible to everyone, well-stocked with hygiene essentials, and sometimes even have an attendant to keep things clean and safe—making a real difference for all Californians.

Promising Practices

Everyone deserves access to clean, safe restrooms—whether you live in a house, RV, or on the street. Programs that offer staffed public toilets and regular RV waste collection are making a real difference in California cities by stopping the spread of disease and improving public spaces for everyone. Research and real-life results from places like San Francisco show these efforts help people live healthier, safer lives, without increasing homelessness. By supporting and expanding these programs, we can take care of our communities and ensure no one struggles to meet this basic need.

Promising Practices

Everyone deserves access to clean, safe restrooms—whether you live in a house, RV, or on the street. Programs that offer staffed public toilets and regular RV waste collection are making a real difference in California cities by stopping the spread of disease and improving public spaces for everyone. Research and real-life results from places like San Francisco show these efforts help people live healthier, safer lives, without increasing homelessness. By supporting and expanding these programs, we can take care of our communities and ensure no one struggles to meet this basic need.

Key Takeaway

Many people in California, especially those without housing, face health risks because they don’t have easy access to safe and clean restrooms. This can force them to go outside or use unsafe alternatives, which isn’t healthy for anyone. Providing well-maintained restrooms with secure storage, hygiene supplies, and attendants can make a big difference—helping everyone stay healthy, safe, and dignified.

Key Takeaway

Many people in California, especially those without housing, face health risks because they don’t have easy access to safe and clean restrooms. This can force them to go outside or use unsafe alternatives, which isn’t healthy for anyone. Providing well-maintained restrooms with secure storage, hygiene supplies, and attendants can make a big difference—helping everyone stay healthy, safe, and dignified.

Your Guide to WaSH Resources

Learn how improving access to water, restrooms, trash disposal, handwashing, showers, menstrual hygiene, and laundry services can transform the lives of unhoused Californians and build healthier communities for all. Each resource provides immediate relief while supporting dignity, public health, and long-term solutions. Click on a topic below to discover more.

Your Guide to WaSH Resources

Learn how improving access to water, restrooms, trash disposal, handwashing, showers, menstrual hygiene, and laundry services can transform the lives of unhoused Californians and build healthier communities for all. Each resource provides immediate relief while supporting dignity, public health, and long-term solutions. Click on a topic below to discover more.