Being homeless is now...a crime?

[Blood]

It’s getting harder to be homeless in America.

Laws that criminalize homelessness are cropping up in cities throughout the country, while simultaneously, a national shortage of shelter beds and housing options is roiling the system.

Since 2001, the U.S. has lost nearly 13 percent of its low-income housing according to a report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty that surveyed 187 cities.

The advocacy group’s report found that laws placing restrictions on loitering, begging, sitting and lying down in public have increased nationwide since 2009. Eighteen percent of cities now ban sleeping in public and 42 percent of cities ban sleeping in vehicles.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/homelessness-now-crime-cities-throughout-u-s/


So instead of trying to help the homeless, we're going to criminalize them and take away the housing and aid that was already in short supply, because hey, it's easier than actually trying to help them. What is wrong with this country?

[thermid]

Thats so sad ): we should be trying to help these people get out of their situations...not making it harder for them!!

[CosmicNoodle]

Theres a lot wrong Jess, a lot.

[Hollywood]

Right, so because we can't take care of our own we're going to throw them in jail instead. "Land of the free, unless you're homeless then fuck you."

[Living For Love]

It's happening in Europe as well. After Hungary, and some Spanish and Italian cities, the Norwegian Parliament also criminalised begging this month. Criminalising begging and homelessness is not bad in itself, the problem is when there's no other solution for those people. If we're going to criminalise, then we need to make sure we create reintegration programmes for homeless people, including temporary accommodation facilities, before even approving those laws. Criminalising solely won't solve the problem.

[carolinae]

Its really unfair, but at least they get food, bedding and showers in jail

[Blood]

Its really unfair, but at least they get food, bedding and showers in jail

I don't know about other people, but I would never give up my freedom for food, bedding, and showers.

This law is basically criminalizing a way of life. I would never want to be homeless, and I hope I never will be, but for some people it's what/who they are and they can't help it. You cannot criminalize someone for how they're living.

I know and have known a lot of homeless people. Would they change the way they're living if they could? Yes, I'm sure. Are they miserable, trouble making criminals? No, the majority are not. The homeless people I've known have been some of the nicest, most generous people. They have close to nothing but they're always willing to share what they have.

When you're in jail, that's it. You get lost and caught up in the system. You become the system until you're let out. You are controlled and told what to do day in and day out. When you're homeless, you may not have everything you want, but you have your freedom. You have the ability to go where you want when you want.

Do not try to justify homelessness with jail time. Land of the free no longer.

[Harry Smith]

Worse thing is that the majority of homeless people are those who served bravely in our forces, only then to be let down when they get home

[Miserabilia]

The fact that there are still so many homeless people is what worries me the most.

[thatcountrykid]

Worse thing is that the majority of homeless people are those who served bravely in our forces, only then to be let down when they get home

we can thank congress for that

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

'Murica, the land of the seemingly free and the home of the politically corrupt.

[Kurgg]

So the society cannot provide enough apartments or money for homeless people and makes being homeless illegal? What a logic. At least they have it in prison, even though they don't have freedom there.

[Typhlosion]

If we ignore them, they may disappear! GREAT, FLAWLESS LOGIC! YES!

Land of the free no longer.

[Freckles]

It's funny that America can't help the homeless but are fully supporting illegal aliens and sending billions of dollars to countries that want to destroy us. I think that all of the senate, congress and the president and his family should have to live homeless for just I week and I bet things change.

[Miserabilia]

It's funny that America can't help the homeless but are fully supporting illegal aliens and sending billions of dollars to countries that want to destroy us. I think that all of the senate, congress and the president and his family should have to live homeless for just I week and I bet things change.

>countries that want to destroy us
kek, how exactly?

[CharlieHorse]

that is so wrong.
:/

[project_icarus]

This is frankly fucked though it doesn't surprise me. This de-humanising a margin of society is fucked.

but are fully supporting illegal aliens

...and sending billions of dollars to countries that want to destroy us.

Right because those "illegal aliens" don't end up homeless anyway, of course; they are truly privileged.

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