National Homelessness Law Center

BREAKING: In a historically shameful decision, the Supreme Court has ruled in #JohnsonVGrantsPass that homeless people are not included in the Constitution’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment. This ruling will make homelessness drastically worse and impact the 250,000+ people who sleep outside each night, as well as millions of Americans who are just one missed paycheck away from homelessness. Arresting or fining people for trying to survive is expensive, counterproductive, cruel, and simply does not work. We are enraged but unsurprised that the Supreme Court sided with out-of-touch billionaires and against the poorest among us. #HousingNotHandcuffs To truly solve homelessness, we demand the Biden administration and Congress invest at least $356 billion in transforming approaches to homelessness away from criminalization and towards proven housing-based solutions. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eFy7GFuu

BREAKING: We’re suing the Eric Adams administration to end the City’s cruel and unlawful homeless sweeps. Every human being needs housing and support to survive. Instead of providing our homeless neighbors with life-saving resources, the Adams administration is trapping them in cycles of poverty and homelessness. It is imperative that the Adams administration redirect its resources away from policing and harassment and towards ensuring that every New Yorker—especially our homeless neighbors—has a safe and dignified place to call home. TODAY IN NYC: Join us along with @urbanjusticecenter @ujcsafetynet for a rally against the Adams admin’s cruel sweeps practices in Washington Square Park (on the West side) at 4 PM EST. Full statement: https://lnkd.in/gdGsMbmX

Loved being (back) in North Carolina for an inspiring visit to Salem College & Salem Academy, the country's oldest running educational institution for women and girls with an exclusive focus on health leadership. Stellar work President Summer McGee, PhD, CPH, Katherine Watts, and the rest of your team for coordinating a terrific Health Leadership Forum dedicated to the power and complexities of #health in our society and how we need more #women in leadership. (Not to mention, your students are so very bright!) Many thanks again for giving me the opportunity to share how #poverty, #homelessness, and inadequate #housing are social determinants of health. #HousingIsHealth #HousingIsAHumanRight #Decriminalize

Big things are happening in NYC this week for unhoused New Yorkers. Join us and the Urban Justice Center - Safety Net Project this Wednesday, Oct. 30th at 4PM in Washington Square Park to hear all about it and to rally against the Adams administration's inhumane sweeps policy. To RSVP and for any questions, email urahman@urbanjustice.org. RSVP not needed to attend. All are welcome to show solidarity.

America can end homelessness, and Hennepin County is proving it’s possible. While cities across the nation face rising homelessness, Hennepin County, Minnesota, offers a powerful example by building a community-wide system that prioritizes people, not punishment. From preventing evictions to providing supportive housing, Hennepin leads the way, showing that coordinated, compassionate efforts can solve homelessness. Watch this powerful documentary from Invisible People to learn all about Hennepin County’s approach to tackling homelessness at every level. https://lnkd.in/g4VG3-ji

BIG WIN: Federal Court rules that San Diegans cannot be ticketed or punished for living in their cars or RVs when they have nowhere else to go. As RV resident Penny Helms says, “You can't get rid of homelessness without creating homes.” The Law Center is proud to have played a small role in this crucial victory. https://loom.ly/fTRm4mI

TOMORROW: For our Housing Not Handcuffs National organizing call, we will be discussing legislative and policy efforts in the aftermath of Johnson v. Grants Pass, and hear from organizers fighting (and winning!) against backward anti-homeless laws. Register for the call to learn how we are responding to the cruel Grants Pass decision, and to share your feedback with the Housing Not Handcuffs campaign. All registrants will also receive a recording of the call, so feel free to register even if you can't make it. Register here: https://bit.ly/hnhnational

On October 29th, join NHLC Senior Policy Director Eric Tars along with national partners and responders to learn about how natural disasters affect homeless and housing-insecure communities. We'll discuss federal resources available for advocates and the challenges vulnerable communities face, like the rise in homelessness criminalization in the Southeast. Plus, we’ll look at how federal disaster recovery funds can help protect the rights of those experiencing homelessness. Register today: https://lnkd.in/g9Zn5kqT

Punishing people for being unhoused is not only cruel and counterproductive, it is incompatible with international human rights law. Read the blog post below from members of the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law to learn how. #HousingSolvesHomelessness #HousingNotHandcuffs #WorldHomelessnessDay https://loom.ly/OqveVo4

We're so excited to have Jed join us as our new Pro Bono Coordinator! 🎉