U.S.VETS’ Post

What can you do in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision criminalizing street homelessness? Our President and CEO, Carol J. Sharp, MPA, has some suggestions on how to take action, including: 1. Learning about current attempts to criminalize homelessness in states bordering Illinois. 2. Supporting federal legislation that offers real solutions to youth homelessness and helps individuals connect to services. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gqftFUxm #housingnothandcuffs #homelessnessisnotacrime #homelessness #unhoused #unsheltered #StreetHomelessness https://lnkd.in/gqftFUxm

HAC’s response to the Supreme Court’s opinion City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson The Homeless Action Center (HAC) unequivocally opposes today’s decision where the Supreme Court issued a cruel 6-3 opinion in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson et al allowing states and cities to punish unhoused people who are sleeping outside even if they have no place to go. The decision permits local municipalities to fine and imprison unhoused individuals simply for being unhoused. At a time when homelessness is at an all-time high and affordable housing is woefully inaccessible and unavailable, it is sickening to see the highest court in the land empower local governments to criminalize community members for merely existing. Justice Sotomayor wrote a strong and compassionate dissent: “Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime. For some people, sleeping outside is their only option. The City of Grants Pass jails and fines those people for sleeping anywhere in public at any time, including in their cars, if they use as little as a blanket to keep warm or a rolled-up shirt as a pillow. For people with no access to shelter, that punishes them for being homeless. That is unconscionable and un-constitutional. Punishing people for their status is “cruel and unusual” under the Eighth Amendment.” Cities can now use this ruling to offer no services to those sleeping outside but instead bring in cops to force them to go elsewhere, even though there is no place elsewhere available. Using law enforcement in this manner is traumatizing for unhoused people. Sweeps of encampments cause people to lose property and documents that they need to get out of homelessness as well as to lose contact with community and service providers. Further, weighing people down with fines and a criminal record will only make it harder for them to get into housing. Notably, this ruling will have a disproportionate impact on BIPOC individuals and communities. According to the point in time count , 70% of those experiencing homelessness in Oakland are black, and thus the racial impact of this decision will be disparate and devastating. To be clear: Criminalizing an unhoused individual for existing does nothing to address any of the root causes of homelessness; instead, it only traumatizes and harms an already marginalized and vulnerable population while creating even more barriers for them to obtain stability. A carte blanche on sweeps may temporarily clear encampments, but will ultimately only increase homelessness and all of the concerns this ruling purports to address.

This study examines the differences between youth experiencing #homelessness who have had contact with Child Protection Services and those who have not. The findings highlight some ways that previous contact with CPS could be a risk factor for homelessness. READ: https://bit.ly/44KmmL0 #FosterCare

Nearly all survivors of domestic violence also experience economic abuse, where financial dependence is wielded as a means of control (1). Home is more than a physical place -- it's a sense of belonging and safety. Survivors often face returning to an abusive home/relationship or becoming homeless in an attempt to flee. Home Free aids survivors in gaining self-sufficiency, reducing the risk of homelessness. Relocation assistance, rental assistance, long-term one-on-one advocacy, and more are available. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual abuse, visit our resources page or call our hotline Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: (503) 771-5503 / Toll Free (888) 771-5503 voaor.org/home-free (1: NCADV Economic and Financial Abuse Factsheet) #domesticviolenceawarenessmonth #worldhomelessday #pdx #pdxresources #portland #homelessness

We stand with the National Network to End Domestic Violence and its partners who released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruling in City of Grants Pass, Ore. v. Johnson that allows states and localities to punish people for being homelessness: “Today, the Supreme Court chose cruelty and made it easier to jail or fine people for sleeping outside. Homelessness is already at record highs, and now it will get even worse. ...this ruling will further trap people who are homeless, including survivors, in cycles of poverty and housing insecurity. Handcuffs and fines will not protect survivors and their families from violence, trauma, or their perpetrators. “Now it’s up to state and local governments to choose violence or safety. We urge them to reject the callousness of the Supreme Court and address houseless people with care. We won’t stop fighting to ensure survivors and people who are homeless are centered in the policies that affect them. We’re committed to building a world where everyone has dignity, choice, and stability.” If you are a homeless survivor, call or text our free and confidential helpline for support and services: 866-685-1122. #WeBelieveSurvivors #Homelessness #Dignity #Support4Survivors #HousingFirst #SaferSomersetCountyNJ #SafeSoundSomerset

Housing is a human right!

The United States government was created to insure the general welfare. The development of large communities of homeless human beings in the middle of cities speaks to the level of civility in our society and clearly illustrates a breach of contact, as the terms of government service have not been satisfied. I don’t understand the logic of a fine. Who is writing these tickets? The government lacks the capacity to meet the needs of society. With power comes responsibility, I.e. duty and accountability. Will the fines and fees be used to create a solution or just serve to compound the issue? In September, the department of housing and urban development (HUD) awarded grants totaling $2 million dollars to Northern Arizona University and New York University to advance research efforts tackling homelessness. Is anyone else concerned about the quality of education and if it is producing leaders capable of problem solving for the country? The research studies are solution oriented. They are designed to study abnormal conditions and maladaptive coping behavior. Information has to be applied for research to be effective. We are not treating numerous varied symptoms. Treat the issue and the symptoms resolve themselves.

The Fountain House community is deeply disappointed by the announcement of today’s Supreme Court’s decision regarding the constitutionality of clearing homeless encampments. The decision is a profound setback to the rights of people experiencing homelessness. At Fountain House, nearly 40 percent of our members — all of whom live with serious mental illness — have a history of homelessness. Fountain House is a pioneer in housing individuals living with mental illness, and the oldest provider of supported housing for people living with serious mental illness in New York City. We’ve believed and made it possible for members to live in and contribute to their communities, and ensure that every member has a stable living environment, whether in Fountain House residences, independent apartments or with family and friends. “It is unfair, unjust and inhumane to penalize individuals for having no place to live. We need to create and resource a variety of community-based solutions to support people,” said Beth Stubenbord, senior director of programming and housing at Fountain House. "There needs to be a variety of responses [such as] respite and emergency housing, rapid access to clinical supports for behavioral and physical well-being, and more fluid housing opportunities for individuals. We have to create and enhance intentional communities, so that people can feel a sense of belonging, connection and dignity.” Criminalizing and penalizing people experiencing homelessness is not a path to recovery and cannot be the default resort for an individual in crisis. Read more thoughts and reactions from our community on the Supreme Court debate on homelessness on our blog: https://lnkd.in/et2wse75 #scotusruling #scotus2024

Our current historic housing shortage means more people are staying in abusive relationships...not by choice, but because in some situations there is no housing available, at any price. In Idaho, we can leverage our support of local shelter and supportive service providers through the annual 'Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge.' Donations can be designated for your own community, specific program or shelter types, or a demographic. Give what you can to help provide an escape hatch for someone; you'll both sleep better. Nonprofits in Idaho need to register by next Monday, November 6th. Visit https://lnkd.in/bWudDMs to learn more or to register your housing or shelter program. Home Partnership Foundation #domesticviolence #domesticviolenceawareness #homelessnessawareness #housingforall #housingcrisis Idaho Housing and Finance Association CATCH Idaho Women's & Children's Alliance #Idaho Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Criminalizing #homelessness is ineffective, costly, and immoral; yet it continues to be the dominant approach for addressing homelessness. This article argues that reframing our understanding of homelessness as a #HumanRights issue can lead to more dignified, just, and effective solutions. READ: https://bit.ly/3RsnRtH