San Francisco tech worker causes outrage with 'homeless riff-raff' letter

'I shouldn’t have to see the pain, struggle, and despair of homeless people to and from my way to work every day'

There are nearly 7,000 homeless people living in San Francisco (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A San Francisco tech worker has caused outrage after publishing a letter declaring homeless people are "riff raff" whose "pain, struggle and despair" shouldn't have to be seen by "wealthy working people".

Justin Keller, the founder of startup Commando.io, published an open letter to San Francisco mayor Ed Lee and police chief Greg Suhr "to voice my concern and outrage over the increasing homeless and drug problem that the city is faced with".

He writes: "The residents of this amazing city no longer feel safe. I know people are frustrated about gentrification happening in the city, but the reality is, we live in a free market society. The wealthy working people have earned their right to live in the city. They went out, got an education, work hard, and earned it. I shouldn’t have to worry about being accosted. I shouldn’t have to see the pain, struggle, and despair of homeless people to and from my way to work every day. I want my parents when they come visit to have a great experience, and enjoy this special place."

After parts of the letter were republished in The Guardian, many took to social media to vent their frustration at the letter:

After the backlash, Mr Keller added an apology to his letter for his use of the term "riff-raff", which he said was "insensitive and counterproductive".

There are nearly 7,000 homeless people living in San Francisco, according to an official government count.

Last year, a woman developed a phone app to feed almost 600,000 homeless people in San Francisco.

Komal Ahmad developed the app to allow companies and event planners to donate surplus food to help those in need within their area.