Alliance for Housing Justice’s Post

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Rebuilding Your Life in Louisiana https://lnkd.in/ebN4tJYP Rebuilding Your Life in Louisiana: Ex-Felon Resources and Support Starting anew after incarceration can be daunting, but Louisiana offers a multitude of resources to help ex-felons achieve a successful reintegration. Here are some key options to consider:

If there is an issue that requires a cross-sector and interdisciplinary perspective, it is the intersection of housing and criminal legal reform. We were honored to have been selected to conduct a landscape assessment of the intersection of housing and the criminal legal system in the District of Columbia on behalf of Enterprise Community Partners. Arcstratta believes firmly in examining the intersection of systems, which often reveal the cost of siloed disciplines and program interventions.   . In collaboration with leaders in the reentry and housing space, the landscape assessment examined the latest research, needs, policies, best practices, resources, innovative programs and services, and collaborative efforts to close gaps in the housing of individuals with justice system contact.    . The intersectionality and disproportionality of homelessness among Black/African Americans in the city with justice system contact is clear, as well as the limited resources for the complex and urgent housing and other needs of individuals with justice system contact.   . The report maps existing systems, policies, and resources; provides a cross-case study analysis of four reentry providers in DC and Baltimore City; and recommendations to housing providers.   . We must be reminded that all human beings need housing and should not have to remain unhoused. In addressing this intersection, we acknowledge that it is not just a housing issue; it's a societal imperative. Check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eGypkn-y   . . . #HousingJustice #Homelessness #PermanentHousing  #SupportiveHousing 🤝🏡 

Slate Magazine #22April2024 : 💡 "#The #real #question #in #Grants #Pass, then, #is #not #whether #the #Supreme #Court #will #side #with #the #town—#it #will. The #question #is #how #much #damage it’ll do #to #the #Eighth #Amendment #along #the #way. On this point, the conservative justices seemed divided; the biggest surprise from Monday’s arguments may be their evident reluctance to go big. But they were arguably backed against the wall by Justices Sonia #Sotomayor, Elena #Kagan, and Ketanji #Brown #Jackson. #All #three #liberals #came #out #swinging #at #Theane #Evangelis, the Gibson Dunn attorney #representing #Grants #Pass, #and #never #let #up. When Evangelis claimed that the town’s laws don’t target homeless people, Sotomayor pushed back. “The police officers testified” that “if a stargazer wants to take a blanket or a sleeping bag out at night to watch the stars and falls asleep, you don’t arrest them.” #Only #people “#who #don’t #have #a #home” #get #arrested. #How, #Sotomayor #asked #Evangelis, #are #they #supposed #to #survive? #Or #are #they #just “#supposed #to #kill #themselves?" "... None of that is ideal. All of it is better than a maximalist decision overruling broader constitutional guarantees against the criminalization of poverty and addiction. At this Supreme Court, we can’t hope for much better." #A #Supreme #Court #Case #About #the #Rights #of #Homeless #People #Went #Better #Than #Expected " #The #conservative #supermajority #might #do #less #damage #to #the #Eighth #Amendment #than #many #advocates #feared."

Below you’ll find the second in our two-part blog series focused on the Criminal Justice Bill. Here, we’re looking beyond the provisions of the bill itself, and exploring the devastating consequences it will have for us as a society if it’s passed into law. I can only hope that the many calls for this bill to be resigned to history where it belongs will be heard. Take a look. #blog #CriminalJusticeBill #homelessness

Did you know that there are more than 1,300 legal barriers to housing and residency related to having a criminal record and 14,000 laws and regulations currently on the books preventing people with a criminal record from being licensed in certain fields? I sure didn't. Please take a minute to read this op-ed by my wonderful colleague, Kate Trammell, Prison Fellowship's Vice President of Legal & Advocacy.

The Croft Visitor Centre and CEIS have joined forces to develop a comprehensive strategy for supporting families affected by imprisonment. Our latest case study delves into the challenges these families face, such as financial hardship, emotional stress, and social stigma, and how The Croft is working to alleviate these difficulties. Learn about their innovative approach, which includes improving the prison visit experience, providing essential advice and support, and advocating for the needs of these families to HMP Barlinnie. Read the full case study to discover how this collaboration is creating positive change in the community. https://lnkd.in/eSdpG-ib

*FREE ARTICLE* A pivotal moment for homelessness policy: The U.S. Supreme Court reviews Oregon's anti-camping ordinance, with nationwide implications. Will the Eighth Amendment shape the future of public safety and homelessness management? https://ow.ly/Xa4U50RmnnJ #HomelessnessPolicy #LegalNews #SupremeCourt #EighthAmendment #PublicSafety

Hopefully the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of Grants Pass’ (OR) appeal regarding the ability of Grants Pass to enact ordinances and laws that would regulate the ability of the homeless to camp in public. Since the Martin v. Boise decision, we have seen the growth of homelessness and homeless encampments go nearly unchecked, along with the associated crime and health problems, with little authorities could do to regulate or abate the problem. Decisions such as Martin and the 9th Circuits recent blocking of San Francisco’s anti-camping ordinance have made it extremely difficult to clear encampments, provide services to the homeless due to the unruliness of the camps and their atmosphere of lawlessness, and created opportunities for costly (and often frivolous) lawsuits against our local governments therefore depriving the communities of funds they could have spent else where (like homeless outreach programs). Regulating behavior via ordinances or laws is not “cruel and unusual punishment.” It is a means of maintaining safety and order in the community for the good of all. #police #policeofficer #policeofficers #officer #officers #cop #cops #lawenforcement #lawenforcementofficer #policechief #policeman #sheriff #deputy #constable #marshal #policedepartment #p1 #copscountpolicematter #polcematter #policingmatters #brokenwindows #qualityoflife #regulations #law #laws #crime #crimes #criminaljustice #criminaljusticesystem #ordinances #rules #regulations #court #courts #legalsystem #courtsystem #iacp

Empowering those on the journey of reintegration after incarceration is a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of recidivism. It’s disheartening when individuals resist the invaluable support of mentoring or counseling, inadvertently causing harm to themselves down the road. To those returning home, my heartfelt encouragement is to set aside pride and ego. Embrace the opportunity to seek the help needed, not only to prevent causing harm to others but also to pave the way for personal growth and resilience. The path2redemption after prison demands sacrifices, but these sacrifices become the building blocks of strength to overcome the deep-seated traumas endured within prison walls. Let’s dismantle the barriers that hinder progress and create a supportive community where each person’s journey is met with understanding and assistance. Together, we can redefine the narrative, fostering a path to redemption that leads to a brighter and more hopeful future. #SecondChances #ReintegrationJourney #StrengthThroughSupport #path2redemption