Criminalization of homelessness

The illegalization of the state of homelessness is an outcome of society not meeting specific issues like poverty, homelessness, or racial injustices. The regulations that give rise to the prohibition on essential activities or even the act of sleeping, sitting, or even lingering around specified places do not only ignore the fundamental issues of homelessness. They also perpetuate circumstances where incarceration and poverty exist, simultaneously.

Viewing the Issue

The so-called ‘homeless’ or ‘the indigent’ who people disregard often get into trouble with the law for things such as sleeping on the streets or begging. This has been one of the areas that is completely ineffective as it only targets these actions that are general in nature and tends to overlook the real causes of homelessness and thus these penalties increase the gap in homelessness among people of color. For instance, Black Americans who already, according to statistics, experience higher rates of homelessness due to racial discrimination, and ‘the law’ would place them in an even worse situation if prosecuted under such circumstances. 

Draconian Policies

The law that prohibits homelessness that borders incarceration makes the act more challenging. Such initiatives breed a situation where incarceration of the masses is evident as such legal provisions create chaos within families and the overall community. It promotes failure as people can’t get jobs or housing, and a greater majority find themselves within a vicious cycle that never ends. In addition to that, it’s an expensive exercise that only brings about more challenges, especially in the provision of basic needs like housing and mental illness. It is more reasonable that policies that allow for employment, housing, and healthcare at the same time would be cheaper over time and would decrease homelessness.

Global Human Rights

Human rights as established by various international frameworks do not recognize the criminalization of homelessness and consider adequate housing, equal treatment,t and freedom from torture as rights of human beings. As such policies that impose sanctions on the homeless create a dire need for a reorientation to housing but also other types of assistance to address the entirety of the problem.

Call To Action

In order to eliminate homelessness, will result in the change of structure of institutions. Some of the measures are the abolishment of laws that impose penalties, the building of low-cost housing, and the wide distribution of health and job services. It is only by addressing the real issues that have resulted in homelessness that we will be able to create a world that is just and upholds the sanctity of residential life for all.

Check out these resources if you'd like to advocate more for criminalization of homelessness:

Oregon Right to Rest - https://wraphome.org/what/homeless-bill-of-rights/oregon-r2r/

The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness by Roshan Abraham - https://shelterforce.org/2024/08/08/the-fight-continues-against-criminalization-of-homelessness/