National Preparedness Month. Sheltering, Temporary Shelters to Permanent Housing. The links to the Unhoused\Homeless. September 2024.

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BEMA International

As we navigate the complexities of addressing homelessness, we want to update you on recent developments and how your support is making a difference. Here’s what you need to know: The Rise in Criminalization Recent legal decisions have intensified the troubling trend of criminalizing homelessness. This June, the Supreme Court overturned the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. This decision held that it does not violate the 18th Amendment's "cruel and unusual punishment" clause to arrest people for sleeping in public places even when there are no adequate shelter options provided locally. This decision has spurred more communities to adopt punitive measures, reinforcing the damaging belief that homelessness should be met with criminal penalties rather than compassionate solutions.

Toward Solutions

It's important to remember that nearly all people experiencing homelessness are not there by choice. They are often without stable housing due to a lack of affordable housing, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient emergency shelter. Criminalization only exacerbates their struggles by making it harder to access essential services, like affordable housing, health services, and employment, necessary for them to exit homelessness.

We are facing a dual crisis: a severe shortage of affordable housing and a lack of supportive services, including healthcare and employment assistance. We need to focus on expanding affordable housing and enhancing supportive services to truly address the root causes of homelessness.