Erin Kennedy’s Post

Seattle is no stranger to housing unaffordability, a rising homeless population, and ongoing discussions about public safety — situations that can often dehumanize unhoused people. In our latest op-ed, Michele Storms discusses how cities have frequently turned to criminalization to address homelessness, and now with the recent Supreme Court decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass, the door has been opened for further punitive measures against the most vulnerable. But, Storms argues, criminalization is not the answer. "The decision fits within a long history of governments turning to policing and incarceration as a solution to social issues. We cannot punish our way out of homelessness and poverty," writes Storms. "Arrest, fines, and incarceration only further entrench homelessness by separating people from essential support systems, perpetuating a cycle of instability that keeps people on the street." Read the full op-ed on the Emerald. https://lnkd.in/gCMaersN /// #Voices #Opinion #JohnsonVGrantsPass #Homeless #Unhoused #Housing #Seattle #SouthSeattle #SouthEnd

Community Solutions, Inc. recently highlighted the collaborative efforts in Atlanta to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The recent SCOTUS ruling reminds us to stay focused on the power of finding housing with wrap-around services for our neighbors experiencing homelessness versus criminalizing them. Our partnership with the Atlanta Police Department and other community organizations exemplifies how diverting individuals from the criminal justice system to housing solutions can make a significant difference. A prime example is the PAD initiative, an Atlanta Continuum of Care partner. When law enforcement encounters someone with probable cause for low-level violations (like loitering, shoplifting, or trespassing), they call PAD instead of making an arrest. PAD's street outreach workers step in, addressing immediate needs such as clothing and meals. They assist the individual with an intake assessment for a local housing provider and ensure they have a safe place to stay. These community-focused initiatives highlight the power of collaboration. Together, we can achieve so much more. Let's continue to support and uplift our neighbors in need! #CommunitySolutions #EndHomelessness #SupportiveHousing #PADInitiative #AtlantaCollaborative #HousingNotHandcuffs #PartnersForHome

Much of society views homelessness as a product of poor life choices or intrinsic personality deficiencies. This is a gross misconception. There are many reasons why someone may end up homeless and severe mental illness is a major influencing factor in a lot of cases. Tossing someone in jail with severe mental illness or who simply doesn’t have access to resources is not the answer. We need to work toward increasing community resources for homeless individuals so that there is better access to food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), career counseling, rehabilitation services, transportation services, and wraparound services.

Here at Simon on the Streets, we belive that breaking the cycle of homelessness takes a collective effort and an approach based on supporting sustained and positive change. An approach based on criminalisation simply isn’t appropriate. As the Criminal Justice Bill continues to be the subject of some very heated debate, we’ve been taking a look at the strategies other countries are using to address homelessness, and what, if anything, we can learn. Take a look below. #blog #homelessness #CriminalJustiveBill

Discover how federal, state, and local officials are joining forces to break down barriers to reentry #housing. During the first-ever national reentry housing symposium, leaders highlighted crucial steps to reduce homelessness and incarceration. #ZeroReturnstoHomelessness Read more: bit.ly/3ubsSgO

The Supreme Court's Ruling on Grants Pass vs. Johnson is a heart-breaking blow to those of us who work with the community experiencing homelessness. The best descriptor I have heard today regarding this verdict is this: "We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness." (V Spehar, Under the Desk News) We continue to criminalize victims of homelessness, instead of advocating for them. We continue to find reactive solutions instead of proactive ones. We continue to make decisions based on a lack of understanding of homelessness. We cannot and will not find a solution to end homelessness without addressing its root causes and the systemic issues that largely affect people of low-income and/or minority backgrounds. Filling our prisons because our shelters are full is not sustainable and only creates further barriers for the homeless community. #endhomelessness #advocacyovercriminalization #communityfirst #homelessnessisnotillegal #housingfirst #housingisahumanright

Having a family member who is unhoused, I know well that we ALREADY criminalize homelessness. But the Supreme Court's recent decision is troubling because it codifies the right of municipalities to do that. Rather than protecting some of our most vulnerable neighbors, the conservative majority decided the unhoused are people the rest of us need protection *from* - meanwhile, we also continue to outlaw viable solutions like SROs and refuse to invest public $ to address this crisis. #housing #housingcrisis #homelessness #affordablehousing https://lnkd.in/esySrmKW

America has a serious leadership problem. They always want to criminalize the #homeless and not themselves. YOU CANNOT CRIMINALIZE THE HOMELESSN FOR BEING HOMELESS! Homelessness is created by the very same legislators that want to criminalize them and I pray and meditate the Homeless in Oklahoma sue the local government. It’s time. Many of these HUD CoC continue to maintain homelessness and help the homeless up from their homelessness. It is some serious Narcissitic government employees and they need to get out of government. If government cannot be for the people the people have no choice but to stand up and Be their own government. #homelessadvocacy #homeless in America. #toxiclegisltorsinamerica

Atlanta Civic Circle shared earlier this week our perspective on today’s SCOTUS decision in the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. Our team at Partners for Home has been at the forefront of addressing homelessness in Atlanta. We cannot use this ruling as an excuse to shift the burden of this human problem onto law enforcement. Criminalization is not effective in reducing homelessness, rather it prolongs, and complicates the evidenced-based process of rehousing people and further traumatizes them. Fortunately, our community and Mayor are committed to creating a crisis response system that is resourced to develop housing solutions and to rehouse people who are homeless at the pace and scale we need to solve this critical issue. Homelessness is not a crime and we must continue to invest in housing solutions with the right complement of supportive services that end, rather than manage, a person’s homelessness. Discover how Partners for Home and our community are making strides toward ending homelessness. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/etxfTt_v #Homelessness #Atlanta #SCOTUS #CommunitySupport #PartnersForHome #CivicEngagement

More than 600,000 people experience #homelessness on a given night in America. Nearly half of these people—250,000—sleep outside. Homelessness is increasing across the country, as more and more households struggle to make ends meet. At its core, #GrantsPassvJohnson, is a case that will determine whether cities are allowed to punish people for existing in public simply because they have nowhere else to go. #Homelessness is a complex issue and the root cause is often a lack of #affordablehousing, pointing to the need for housing solutions. Research indicates that focusing on tickets or jail can divert resources from these effective measures and that punitive actions, like arrests, can further exacerbate the cycle of homelessness rather than solve it. As is the case throughout much of America, children, people with disabilities, people of color, older adults, and #LGBTQAI+ individuals are disproportionately represented in homelessness statistics and are likely to be the most affected. A decision will be made by June 30th, 2024. Learn more about the case: https://bit.ly/3RAPQGC