Kevin Fagan has a unique perspective on the plight of homelessness — from his own personal experience as a teenager and young adult to decades of documenting the issue as a journalist in California.
In his new book, “The Lost and the Found,” Fagan explores the human side of an epidemic that afflicts nearly 200,000 Californians, according to January 2024 federal data, a story he’ll share on Monday night at a special event sponsored by Stocktonia.
Fagan will speak about his book and sign copies at Barnes & Noble in Stockton, 4950 Pacific Ave. The free event begins at 6 p.m.
Fagan recounted a time when he could afford both an apartment and a car on a reporter’s minimum wage. Today, that’s nearly impossible.
“We have the greatest split between rich and poor that we’ve had since the Gilded Age of the 1880s,” Fagan told Stocktonia.
Before his decades-long career at the San Francisco Chronicle, Fagan was kicked out of his house by his mother at 16 and lived in an unfurnished garage. Still, he pushed forward, attending San Jose State University, homeless at times.
He worked various reporting jobs at outlets including the Lodi News-Sentinel, BBC and UPI before joining the Chronicle, where he stayed for more than 30 years before retiring this year. He began with general assignments, but quickly found a niche in crime and social issues. There was one particular issue he found most fascinating to write about.
“Homelessness is the most extreme form of poverty in America,” he said. “And it needs the most attention.”
Fagan didn’t just report the facts. He aimed to understand the deeper human stories.
“The stories were sometimes disturbing,” he said. “Not everyone has a stomach for doing a lot of crime. Most reporters do a bit of it, but I wasn’t afraid to go look at anything.”
His own experience with homelessness gave him a unique perspective and personal reason to understand how people fall into such a cycle, and how to get out of it.
Two people in particular, Rita and Tyson, stuck with him. Their lives became the focus for “The Lost and the Found,” which details the harsh realities of the streets of San Francisco.
“I think you have to read the book to figure out how that all ends,” he said.
Fagan said writing the book came naturally, much like his newspaper work, only without deadlines. He’d write in spontaneous bursts, adding a few pages whenever inspiration struck over the course of six months.
The book touches on themes of family, redemption and compassion, especially for the people who are often ignored on the streets.
In San Joaquin County alone, the homeless population grew to over 4,700 people in 2024, doubling since 2022.
In a community battling this issue, Fagan believes his stories are worth the read.
“I would hope that people in Stockton who read my book and listen to me talk will be just a little more open to helping the street population,” Fagan said. “Homeless people in Stockton, particularly chronically homeless people need that.”
“The Lost and the Found” can be purchased on the Simon & Schuster website for $28.99, or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book shops. The Stockton Barnes & Noble will have copies for sale on Monday night.