It’s Illegal to be Homeless
Homelessness has been a constant presence in American cities, towns, and rural areas for many years and a major problem in our society. During the recession of 1981-82 it was identified as a national issue for the first time since the Great Depression. Since the early 1980s, homelessness has been a regular focus of media interest and a topic of policy debate.
The reasons for homelessness are many. Lack of affordable housing remains a formidable obstacle to solving the homeless crisis. However, the recent trends in homelessness include an increase in homeless women and children directly attributable to domestic violence. Therefore, the homeless population is growing. The National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP)- a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless- has partnered with the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty to compile data samplings from 80 communities, both urban and rural, in 37 states, the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty has published five similar reports in the past decade. Theirs is the most comprehensive examination of its type on this issue to date.
Homeless persons find their civil rights threatened in an increasing number of communities, according to a new report released by homeless advocacy groups. The report finds that more jurisdictions are enacting laws that effectively criminalize homelessness by prohibiting activities such as sleeping or camping in public, even when no shelter beds are available.
The report finds that the use of these ordinances is increasing. Almost 80 percent of the cities surveyed in the 2002 report have laws that prohibit sleeping/ camping in public areas. Meanwhile, 100 percent of communities surveyed lack enough shelter beds to meet demand.
The report distinguishes California as the “meanest” state in the country for people who are poor and homeless, with New York City vying with Atlanta,…
