Michael,
When you get the paperwork taken care of to transfer title from the city to the various store owners in front of whose establishments persons sans housing from time to time lie in repose, please let me know and I'll be sure to give the deal my blessings. 
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
P.S. - If the sidewalks are going for as cheap as $1, why not just sell them to the homeless who will get more use out of them?
As Starchild, I would certainly be all in favor of purchasing the sidewalks for $1; then theoretically, I would have the right as the sidewalk's owner to defend it from squatters.
Marcy
i think the current situation is more complex. The sidewalk in many parts of the city is split by the property line which may not be that obvious. Most of the campers I have seen are smart enough to squat on the private areas next to the building or in a doorway. In that case the resident needs to make a complaint before the police take action. I have heard that posting a no trespassing sign allows the police to take automatic action but I'm not sure about that.
In any case, the privately controlled part of the sidewalk (and public?) is also easement and the property owner has to keep it clean, etc. You can pay a fee to have chairs and tables out there for something like $300yr? so that would mean to me the sidewalk is more valuable than $1. Not to mention the $100 fine for parking on the sidewalk.
I don't have sources on this stuff, but the cafe owner I know gave me an earful about it a few years ago.
d
Dear All
Please read this from todays SF Examiner about sit/lie as practiced in 235 other cities nationally. I also suggest whoever is interested find the original article and read it as well.
http://snipurl.com/us1py [www_sfexaminer_com]
Ron Getty