Today, the Surpreme Court will review the Grant Pass case, which questions if banning outdoor sleeping/camping is "cruel and usual" punishment for homeless people. Over the last decade or so, the Idaho City Council approved a measure to make it illegal for people to sleep in their cars and/or outdoors. The idea per council member Lily Morgan, was "to make it uncomfortable enough for homeless people in our city so they will want to move on down the road." Advocates for the homeless spoke up regarding this decision and a lower court agreed that this ordinance was cruel and usual punishment . The ruling from the lower court was appealed to the Surpreme Court, who will take up this matter today.
Homelessness is a chronic problem that affects people from all backgrounds and cultures in every state. In my recently released book: You Don't Know Half of It: Homelessness, Healing and Hope, I discussed my personal experience with homelessness, as well as various laws, policies and procedures thst perpetuate homelessness. Not only is homelessness a problem here in the United States, but it is a concern world wide! In fact, nearly 650,000 Americans face homelessness each and everyday, and another 150 million people are housing insecure all around the globe!! In addition, homelessness is deemed illegal in almost every state here in the United States. With statistics such as these, it is both illogical and inappropriate to think that the "homeless" can simply move on "down the road" somewhere else.
Should Homelessness be a Crime?
0%YES
0%NO
The ugly truth is that the impoverished will always be amongst us. Homeless, poor and indigent people are literally in every corner of this earth; its a systematic issue. Just because we create mean spirited laws against homeless people, does not make them vanish and go away. When politicians and others create such mindless legislation, it truly shows they have zero real-world understanding of the issue. I would bet most of those who make or influence such decisions have never been homeless or poor. They probably don't even know anyone in real life who is homeless, which makes these decisions even more heart breaking.
Making homelessness illegal does nothing to help solve the homeless epidemic. Refusing to help the needy by cutting off aid or access to other resources does not eradicate homelessness. Demonizing or stereotyping homeless people does not make them or their issues dissappear. If people really want to help solve the housing and homeless crisis, then the first thing they MUST do is develop some practical understanding about this issue. First off, there isn't enough space in homeless shelters to house every person who is need. Homeless people who sleep outdoors, live in their cars or stay in hotels do so out of NECESSITY!!! Additionally, If someone does not have a place to stay, they can't keep a job. If someone cannot keep a job, how can they even attempt to correct any housing challenges they may face, let alone pay any debts that are owed? I have often read about, or heard people say outloud, that people who are homeless need to be "taught" a lesson. Statements like these is as much a ridiculous statement, like most of these laws that criminalize homelessness. People don't pay their bills because they lack the capacity to do so. Not because they enjoy or want to be without a place to stay.
To criminalize poverty is not only absurd, its evil and mean spirited. More importantly, it demonstrates our god-less-ness and our collective ignorance about housing insecurity. You can choose to demonize, criticize, ignore or even get rid of every homeless person that exists today, but guess what....
Someone brand new will still face homelessness tomorrow!!
We all need to get back to being humane and use common sense, logic and a little compassion to cultivate an environment towards peace and progress. Community is a shared responsibility.! Without reasonable and sensible legislation, these issues will not only persist, but they will worsen.
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RDW
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