Neighborhood Hands’ Post

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Grants Pass, Oregon's ban on homeless residents sleeping outdoors is deeply concerning and fails to address the root causes of homelessness with compassion and humanity. By endorsing such ordinances, the Court legitimizes policies that criminalize poverty and punish individuals for simply trying to survive. Justice Gorsuch's assertion that these laws do not target homeless people but rather the act of camping outdoors overlooks the stark reality faced by homeless individuals who often have no alternative but to sleep in public spaces. This decision ignores the fact that sleep is a basic human necessity, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford housing. Justice Sotomayor's dissent rightfully points out that such laws create a harmful cycle of instability and further marginalization. Criminalizing homelessness exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, pushing them deeper into poverty and making it even harder for them to access essential services like employment, healthcare, and housing. This decision undermines efforts in states like California, where local governments have struggled to balance the need for public safety with compassion for those experiencing homelessness. It sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden other cities to implement similar punitive measures rather than investing in long-term solutions such as affordable housing, supportive services, and mental health care. As a society, we should prioritize policies that uphold human dignity and provide real support to individuals experiencing homelessness. This means challenging laws that criminalize homelessness and advocating for comprehensive, compassionate approaches that address the systemic issues driving homelessness in our communities. https://lnkd.in/eXhJ23Wq

Our statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order: The Lucky Duck Foundation believes no one should live on the streets – it is not safe or humane for anyone.   Although the Supreme Court’s ruling and now Governor Newsom’s position on encampments can be perceived as punitive, we see it as a way to move government towards adding more shelters and other immediately available beds to reduce homelessness and help our neighbors in need move off the streets quickly and safely.    To be clear, we do not in any way shape or form endorse the “criminalization of homelessness.” Rather, we fully support government’s ability to connect our homeless neighbors to lifesaving resources off the streets to reduce unsheltered homelessness and protect public health and public safety.    The governor’s strategy until now has largely focused on adding and acquiring housing, which is very costly and time consuming. And, California has seen some of the largest increases in homelessness in the country over the last five years. As such, it is critical the Governor’s decision to clear encampments be coupled with a shift in strategy and resources to quickly activate a significant number of shelter beds so that people can move inside and connect to lifesaving resources. Otherwise, it will simply result in moving people around without providing an immediate pathway off the streets.

I am (sadly) unsurprised by the Supreme Court's recent decision here. But it is a particularly hideous and cruel reaction in the face of a widening wealth gap, affordable housing crisis, overdose crisis, banning equity and inclusion practices, anti-queer legislation...the list goes on and on. I've done a lot of advocacy and work with unhoused people over the years and can tell you that individual people choose to sleep outside for any number of reasons: lack of shelter beds, lack of safety, shelter rules that make it impossible for people who use drugs to enter the shelter, no community support...again, the list goes on and on. But it really boils down to systemic failures like lack of supportive housing, lack of affordable housing, lack of transitional housing, and shelters/warming centers etc that do not have the staffing capacity to meet the unique needs of people with complex trauma. The failure is on our poorly designed systems, not on individual people working in various parts of this broken system, and certainly not on individual people doing what they can to survive (is sleep not a basic human right?). I feel lucky to live in a community that is doing a lot to care for the needs of unhoused people and lucky to work alongside tireless advocates who care deeply about the needs of this population but not everyone is so lucky. This ruling will have ripple effects that will further malign an already stigmatized population that (rightfully) distrusts the many systems they must engage with in order to access care, a place to sleep, and so many other basic needs. I realize I'm (mostly) preaching to the choir by sharing these imperfectly formed thoughts with my network, but I encourage people to show up in your communities to advocate for the needs of unhoused people and see what your community is doing to provide services for unhoused people. It matters because unhoused people matter and do not deserve to be criminalized for poverty. Most of us are closer to homelessness than we are to millionaire status and I encourage us all to see this is OUR fight. We have to be in it together. https://lnkd.in/eJZ3yZmG

The BC Conservatives have announced their candidate for the new West Kelowna-Peachland riding, Maclin McCall stating that the candidate "Aims to address homelessness and support individuals despite their work ethic." It's so disheartening to see this 'bootstrap' mentality continue. It's crucial that we challenge this stereotype and promote a more compassionate and nuanced understanding. Homelessness is a multifaceted problem with a range of causes, often rooted in systemic issues such as the availability of affordable housing, economic disparities, and inadequate support systems. Blaming individuals experiencing homelessness for their situation oversimplifies the challenges they face and fails to recognize the broader societal factors at play. Let's work together to build awareness, support organizations working on the front lines, and advocate for policies and politicians which will address the structural issues contributing to homelessness. Together, we can contribute to a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY) condemns in the strongest possible terms last week’s Supreme Court ruling upholding the constitutionality of laws that criminalize sleeping in public spaces even when there is a lack of shelter. Policies that criminalize poverty and homelessness do nothing to prevent poverty or homelessness. Instead, they make it even harder for individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty by negatively impacting their freedom, mental and physical health, and ability to work and find housing. Housing is a human right. VOA-GNY is proud to be a provider of both temporary and affordable housing in New York City, where people have a right to shelter. In our 128 years working with individuals and families in need, we’ve seen the life-changing, life-saving impact of access to safe shelter and affordable housing. More than half of Americans are just one missed paycheck from homelessness. This looming crisis is especially dire in areas like New York, where the cost of living is skyrocketing, the cost of housing is increasing more rapidly than inflation, and the housing vacancy rate is just 1.4 percent. This ruling serves as a wake-up call for New York, which must fulfill its commitments to building affordable housing and aggressively defend its right to shelter. It is our moral obligation—and VOA-GNY’s mission—to continue to provide support to those in our communities who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Read the statement on our website here: https://lnkd.in/eEvj4Mmw #JohnsonVGrantsPass #HousingNotHandcuffs #HousingIsAHumanRight

Housing Alliance Delaware's recent 2024 Point-In-Time count saw a 9% increase in homelessness in Delaware. Each year, the Delaware Continuum of Care conducts a PIT count of people experiencing homelessness. As a community health advocate and partner of HAD, I understand that these numbers tell a story. The homeless also tend to be the most vulnerable to the opioid epidemic and those struggling with alcohol or drugs are often those who need shelter the most. It’s important to remain empathetic and supportive to those struggling and on the pathway to recovery. See the 2024 PIT Count Methodology here: https://ow.ly/BrPX50S8PrM

"The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) strongly condemns the Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson to allow jurisdictions to arrest and ticket unhoused people for sleeping outside, even when adequate shelter or housing is not available. 'This cruel, misguided ruling will only worsen homelessness,' said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. 'It gives cover to elected officials who choose political expediency over real solutions by merely moving unhoused people out of public view rather than working to solve their homelessness. These ineffective and inhumane tactics exacerbate homelessness by saddling unhoused people with debt they can’t pay, while further isolating them from the services and support they need to become stably housed. To truly address and solve homelessness, policymakers must instead work with urgency to scale up proven solutions, starting with greater investments in affordable housing and supportive services.'” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7b4mR6r 

I stand as ally with National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Homelessness Law Center, National Coalition for the Homeless, and National Alliance to End Homelessness, and all the individuals, commercial enterprises, groups and organizations to amplify the need for evidence-based, permanent solutions to end homelessness. Take a moment today to make your voice heard -- share this post if that's the most expedient way; however, even more helpful is to: Meet with your local, state, or federal elected officials to discuss the real (and by that I mean effective and sustainable) solutions to homelessness: Host a roundtable or other gathering where people with lived experience of homelessness can share their stories with elected officials; Amplify social media put out by National Homelessness Law Center (@homeless_law) on social media channels; Bring your elected officials on a site visit to supportive and affordable housing or other homelessness programs in your community; There are more things you can do -- if they haven't occurred to you, feel free to ask me. I'll point you in general directions. In the meantime -- since today is the start of the Supreme Court case -- you can learn more about Johnson vs Grants Pass here: https://lnkd.in/gsZHtNfU Sally forth!

CAT STATEMENT: Supreme Court allows punishment for homeless sleeping. Defend the right to rest. Today’s decision is another blow for housing justice as SCOTUS ruled to further criminalize homelessness. This is a failure by our country’s highest court to uphold the basic civil liberties we should all have: the right to have a place to sleep at night. Since COVID, Oregon has seen an unprecedented wave of homelessness brought on by predatory rent increases and the commodification of housing. The result is that it’s becoming harder for people to get inside, so our streets, bridges, freeways and parks are becoming filled with more people who have nowhere else to go due to skyrocketing housing and living costs, red tape, and overinvestment in criminalizing poverty.  We applaud our partners at the Oregon Law Center for their legal defense of our houseless neighbors’ right to rest and common decency. State and local governments must do all that they can to address homelessness. This includes things like increasing funding for truly affordable housing, expanding health care coverage, and, at the bare minimum, rejecting the false notion that jails and fines solve homelessness. Regardless of today’s regressive decision by SCOTUS, the Community Alliance of Tenants remains committed to ensuring we all have access to safe and affordable housing and demanding adherence to the laws that prevent government from criminalizing houselessness.

CAT STATEMENT: Supreme Court allows punishment for homeless sleeping. Defend the right to rest. Today’s decision is another blow for housing justice as SCOTUS ruled to further criminalize homelessness. This is a failure by our country’s highest court to uphold the basic civil liberties we should all have: the right to have a place to sleep at night. Since COVID, Oregon has seen an unprecedented wave of homelessness brought on by predatory rent increases and the commodification of housing. The result is that it’s becoming harder for people to get inside, so our streets, bridges, freeways and parks are becoming filled with more people who have nowhere else to go due to skyrocketing housing and living costs, red tape, and overinvestment in criminalizing poverty.  We applaud our partners at the Oregon Law Center for their legal defense of our houseless neighbors’ right to rest and common decency. State and local governments must do all that they can to address homelessness. This includes things like increasing funding for truly affordable housing, expanding health care coverage, and, at the bare minimum, rejecting the false notion that jails and fines solve homelessness. Regardless of today’s regressive decision by SCOTUS, the Community Alliance of Tenants remains committed to ensuring we all have access to safe and affordable housing and demanding adherence to the laws that prevent government from criminalizing houselessness.