Crash Course In Homelessness In 400 Words
Crash Course In Homelessness In 400 Words
Can you imagine a course in homelessness in 400 words?
Someone recently sent me what amounts to a 400 word “crash course’ In Homelessness. It was found buried in an OpEd in the Miami Herald. It wasn’t labeled as a “Crash Course”. It simply had a link to a December 2019 study put out by The National Poverty Law Center at the University of Miami under the title “Housing not Handcuffs”.
The Table of Contents seemed like a crash course in the issues surrounding homelessness. Take the time to read the next 400 words to gain a broader perspective on the seemingly intractable issue of homelessness. I appreciated the way it broadened my horizons.
Homelessness Crash Course
RISE OF HOMELESSNESS
- Homelessness is a large and growing crisis
- The gap between incomes and the cost of housing is a primary cause of homelessness
- People of color face disproportionate housing cost burdens, eviction, and homelessness
- People with disabilities are also disproportionately homeless
- People experiencing homelessness have insufficient options for meeting their basic human needs
GROWTH OF LAWS CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS
- Camping Bans
- Evictions of Encampments (“Sweeps”) Sleeping Bans
- Bans on Sitting and Lying Down Restrictions on Living in Vehicles
- Begging Bans
- Bans on Loitering, Loafing, and Vagrancy Restrictions on Food Sharing
- Other Common Criminalization Laws
- Storing personal property in public Urination/Defecation Rummaging/Scavenging/Dumpster Diving
- Laws Criminalizing Homeless Youth Status Offenses
- Curfew Laws
- Truancy Laws
ENFORCEMENT OF CRIMINALIZATION POLICIES
- Arrest and Incarceration
- Fines, Fees, and Debtors Prison
- Warrants
- Orders to “Move Along” from Public Space
- Privatization of Public Space
- Hostile Architecture and Landscaping
- Complaint Oriented Policing
CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS PERPETUATES UNFOUNDED AND HARMFUL STEREOTYPES ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE
CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS IS INEFFECTIVE, HARMFUL, AND EXPENSIVE PUBLIC POLICY
- Criminalization policies fail to address the causes of homelessness, and instead worsen the problem
- Criminalization of homelessness harms public safety
- Criminalization laws harm public health
- Criminalization increases recidivism
- Criminalization policies breed distrust between homeless individuals and law enforcement
- Homeless people live outside because they lack better options
- Homeless people work, but still cannot afford housing
- The vast majority of homeless people do not abuse alcohol and/or drugs
- Criminalization policies increase the risk of violence against homeless people Criminalization is expensive and wasteful of limited public resources
- The solution is cheaper than the problem
- Cost savings associated with housing are grossly underestimated
- Housing saves money by improving physical and mental health Criminalization policies threaten federal funding for homeless services
POLICIES CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS ARE OFTEN ILLEGAL
- Challenging Camping and Sleeping Bans and Sweeps
- Right to be Free From Cruel and Unusual Punishment Property Rights and Due Process
- Right to Free Exercise of Religion
- Challenging Restrictions on Living in Vehicles
- Right to Due Process
- Other Theories to Challenge Vehicle Tows and Impoundment
- Challenging Loitering, Loafing, and Vagrancy Laws 80 Challenging Begging Bans 80
- Right to Free Speech
- Challenging Food Sharing Restrictions
- Right to Free Religious Exercise
- Right to Expressive Conduct
- Challenging the Human Rights Violations of Criminalization
WE SHOULD SOLVE HOMELESSNESS, NOT PUNISH IT
- Cities should invest in Permanent Housing Solutions using a Housing First model
- Permanent Supportive Housing
- Governments should expand access to affordable housing subsidies
- Governments should dedicate funding streams to housing and services for homeless people.
- Tax on gross receipts of large companies Sales Tax
- Social Impact Bonds
- Solicit Corporate and Private Donations
- Governments should utilize surplus property to provide housing and services
- Governments should embrace innovative housing solutions
- Accessory Dwelling Units
- Tiny Home Communities Community Land Trusts
- Vehicle and RV Parking Options
Even if you do not have time to delve more deeply into these issues by visiting the full text of “Housing not Handcuffs.” I hope it will broaden horizons and possibly serve as a resource when thinking of the issues.
1 Comment
I work with the Homeless and this is a brilliant summary of the situation. They are human beings like you and I and deserve to be treated like you and I!!!