Title: Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People - HG.org
Headings: Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People
Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Homeless People
Anti-Homelessness Legislation
Homelessness Is Not a Recognized Protected Class
What You Can Do

Content: Anti-Homelessness Legislation
There are two branches of law when it comes to homelessness in America: laws designed to help the homeless get aid, shelter, and food to improve their quality of life, and laws designed to criminalize homelessness and begging in order to force the homeless into shelter. Unfortunately, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the trend over recent years has favored criminalizing homelessness. Proponents of the criminalized homelessness approach believe that punishment will deter people from choosing to be homeless. This view, of course, assumes that homeless is always a choice. Cities and states that have adopted this approach have begun outlawing activities like sleeping, eating, sitting, and begging in public spaces. They also tend to selectively enforce more neutral laws, like open container laws and anti-loitering provisions, against people who appear to be homeless. Those arrested on charges of violating any of these laws face not only jail time, but also fines and other penalties. It also leaves the homeless person with an arrest record, making the possibility of future employment even more difficult. Fortunately, the courts have begun to respond to the criminalization of homelessness.