The Stream

Criminalising the homeless

Across the US there has been a drastic increase in legislation that makes it difficult for the homeless to stay on the right side of the law.

Imagine going to jail for not having a place to sleep. According to a recent report there has been a drastic increase in laws that criminalise the homeless. For example, in Oklahoma City it’s illegal to sleep in public parks. In Philadelphia it’s against the law to serve homeless people food on public property. Officials who draft these laws say they prevent homelessness and issues associated with it. But critics say they actually perpetuate the cycle of poverty. So why has this new legislation come about, and what effect is it having on Americans? Join us at 1930GMT.

For more, check out our infographic on criminalising homelessness in the US.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to: 

Maria Foscarinis @NLCHPhomeless @Mariafoscarinis
Executive Director, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
nlchp.org

Cameron Runyan @CameronRunyan
Councilman, Columbia, South Carolina

Laura Zeilinger @USICHgov @ZLauraJeanne
Executive Director, US Interagency Council on Homelessness
usich.gov

James Davis
Advocate for homeless

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.