What can we do instead of Criminalize Unhoused folks?
So many of our local communities have turned to putative methods of addressing people experiencing the trauma of homelessness. In light of the United States Supreme Court’s supreme injustice in the Johnson vs. Grants Pass case, and amid growing criminalization, we have gathered the following sample alternatives for our local, state and federal governments to consider:
All Levels of Government
- Pass a protected class resolution
- Model policy solutions from the Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign
Municipal Level
- Don’t criminalize people!
- Divert resources from Police and Public Works to trash pickup and bathroom access.
- TALK to unhoused folks – what do they need? Are they working with any organizations to get housed? How can you connect them to help?
- Bay Area: Modelling what it will take to end homelessness: https://www.allhomeca.org/2024/06/25/what-it-will-take-modeling-solutions-to-homelessness-in-the-bay-area/
- Allentown, PA Resolution Affirming the City of Allentown’s Commitment to Equitable Use of Public Spaces, Protection of Human Rights, and Compassionate Approaches to Addressing Homelessness
State Level
- Are there Federal resources your state can be accessing?
- Invest in proven solutions to homelessness, including housing and other services.
- Be on the lookout for legislation that aims to hurt or displace people who are unhoused.
- Prevent undue evictions (for example, the Illinois Community Safety through Stable Homes Act)
- Protect rights of people who are unhoused with an Unhoused Bill of Rights, Shelter Standards, or other protections (New York Homeless Protection Act)
Federal Level
- Robust investment in social housing! (Repair & preserve public housing)
- Universal rental assistance for low-income households
- National Housing Trust Fund
- Eviction & homelessness prevention
- Voluntary supportive & emergency response services
- See the Bring America Home Now campaign’s 6 Pilar Policy Plan
