Homeless Bill of Rights

Years of research and advocacy around criminalization of homelessness and increasing violence committed against people experiencing homelessness has shown that added protections are needed to preserve the civil rights of people experiencing homelessness. Moreover, the over-representation of people of color among those experiencing homelessness requires further dedication to principles of equity and equal access to public resources. NCH staff work to educate public officials and local advocates about the importance of passing protections for those without housing in the United States.

Homeless Bill of Rights measures work to ensure that homeless individuals are:

• Protected against segregation, laws targeting homeless people for their lack of housing and not their behavior, and restrictions on the use of public space.
• Granted privacy and property protections.
• Allowed the opportunity to vote and feel safe in their community without fear or harassment.
• Provided broad access to shelter, social services, legal counsel and quality education for the children of homeless families.

* Note that Hawaii passed a Bill of Rights bill that will not be enacted until July 1st, 2050

Articles:

• A Homeless Bill of Rights (Revolution) by Sara Rankin, Seattle University School of Law

• Connecticut Passes Landmark ‘Homeless Person’s Bill Of Rights’ Law

• CCH hosts bill-signing as Illinois becomes 2nd state to enact a Homeless Bill of Rights

Reports:

• Report: Discrimination and Economic Profiling among the Homeless of Washington, DC (2014)

• Western Regional Advocacy Project
  
  
• Housing Not Handcuffs campaign