Criminalizing Crisis: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities

Posted under Resources on November 28, 2011

From the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

With poverty at record levels and as many as 3.5 million people homeless each year, a report released by the Law Center on Tuesday shows that more and more cities are making it illegal to be homeless. Criminalizing Crisis analyzes local policies in 234 cities and demonstrates the startling trend toward criminalizing basic acts necessary for homeless persons’ survival, including eating and sleeping in public.

Criminalizing Crisis. . . reveals that local laws criminalizing homelessness are increasing in cities across the country.

Of the 234 cities surveyed, the report shows that:

  • 40 percent prohibit sleeping in public places;
  • 33 percent prohibit sitting/lying in public places;
  • 56 percent prohibit loitering in public places; and
  • 53 percent prohibit begging in public places.

Among the 188 cities reviewed for both this report and the Law Center’s 2009 report, major trends include the following:

  • 7 percent increase in prohibitions on begging or panhandling;
  • 7 percent increase in prohibitions on sleeping; and
  • 10 percent increase in prohibitions on loitering.

Law Center Executive Director Maria Foscarinis said, ”It’s unconscionable to punish homeless people for their misfortune, but it’s also irrational fiscal policy, as this report illustrates.”

Read more from NLCHP here

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