Hope Atlanta’s Post

Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) strongly denounces the recent decision by the Supreme Court, which permits the increased criminalization of homelessness. This ruling not only exacerbates the challenges faced by our most in need populations but also undermines the fundamental principles of compassion and humanity that our society should uphold. At CSPNJ, we have long been committed to supporting and uplifting individuals experiencing homelessness. Our Wellness Centers across NJ, serve as a critical resource for those in need, offering essential services and support to help them transition to stability and self-sufficiency. The decision by the Supreme Court stands in stark contrast to our mission and threatens to dismantle the progress we have made in assisting the unhoused. This ruling will inevitably lead to more individuals being criminalized for their circumstances rather than being provided with the necessary resources and support to improve their situations. It places an undue burden on our society and further marginalizes those who are already struggling to survive. We call upon local, state, and federal leaders to take immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of unhoused individuals. Now, more than ever, we must stand united in our commitment to social justice and the humane treatment of every member of our community. CSPNJ will continue to advocate for the rights of the unhoused and work tirelessly to provide the support and services they deserve. If you are living unhoused and face any discrimination or unfair treatment/enforcement, please reach out to Pam Baker - Deputy Director of Unhoused Services - at (732) 618-9694, or Heather Simms - Deputy Director of Advocacy Services - at [email protected] for immediate response; or contact one of our Community Wellness Centers for support. All 19 of our centers and contact information are listed at https://lnkd.in/ed-riU8B.

San Francisco faces a pivotal choice, as Mr. Boudin rightly notes: will it be "beacon of progress or a cautionary tale of lost values?" SF's homelessness crisis mirrors a nationwide dilemma, yet we're stuck in a Groundhog Day cycle of re-upping on mass incarceration and policing, despite knowing effective solutions. We know what to do. It's time for action, not repetition. #housingisahumanright #housingcrisis #homelessness #housingjustice https://lnkd.in/gKaAAqn4

…but where will they go? This is a critical question. I believe we can all agree on two facts, we have a homeless crisis, and we want to get people off the streets. But criminalizing their circumstances shows a lack of understanding of the conditions that resulted in  people ending up there in the first place. We continuously want to blame the individual because that absolves us from any responsibility for their situation. Seeing the unhoused daily and their numbers growing is an uncomfortable reminder of how we, as a society, have failed. The lack of empathy with this position, which we’ve heard time and again, seems to miss the big point,  if we criminalize sleeping in the street, where we suggest  these individuals go. We have to address the endemic issue that puts people on the streets, we have to address the policy shortcomings, the economic policies, improve our health system and we have to build more and faster. We just have to do more.  This did not happen overnight, and it can’t be solved overnight but we must find our empathy, our  political will, and support those who propose humanistic solutions if we are to solve this problem. Short term fixes are not solutions. #roofsnotjails #housingisaright #endhomlessness #affordablehousing https://lnkd.in/g6DHx-xk

More than 10,000 individuals were homeless one January night in New Jersey, underscoring the pressing issue of housing insecurity. The fact that 47% of our state's homeless population is comprised of individuals who are Black shows the undeniable intersection between homelessness and racial equity. This discrepancy compels us to implement policies that guarantee housing accessibility, transcending generations. To foster a Culture of Health, we must champion comprehensive policies that prioritize racial equity. Let's collaborate to initiate transformative shifts, ensuring secure housing and a promising future for every New Jersey resident. https://lnkd.in/e64QaYxA #racialequity #affordablehousing #CultureofHealth

Thank you for sharing this. What is your roadmap to get there? With outside organizations doing their best to persuade legislators that laws are needed to get rid of homeless individuals by putting them in jail, or pushing them over the borders to less conservative states. Many of these people are victims of poverty, disabilities, inadequate local resources, and ingnorance. As housing affordability gets further and further beyond the reach of low-income individuals, and is now creeping up into the middle class, it has become a health crisis, safety crisis, and economic crisis. If you follow this trend line, the future is not looking good for all of us. The national average age of a first-time home buyer is now 45+. Think about that. The average cost of a new car is now $42K. These numbers are not sustainable, especially because wages have not kept pace with costs. More and more people have no savings, no pensions, and are only one life-crisis away from becoming homeless. Seniors are now especially hard hit, as they develop more serious medical needs, and other assistance and care. Are we going to see our baby boomer grandparents end up sleeping in the parks? How can federal legislators not see this as a top priority? Vote!!!

The United Nations Human Rights Committee recently called on U.S. officials to abolish laws criminalizing homelessness in concluding observations from the body’s fifth periodic report on the country. The call comes as state and local officials continue to pass a litany of laws that criminalize aspects of homelessness, like sleeping outside, sharing food, and panhandling. The recommendations also follow a report from the National Homelessness Law Center, University of Miami School of Law Human Rights Clinic and Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity (MCARE) that shows the U.S. is failing to stem the tide of rising homelessness and failing to provide adequate, affordable housing. Siya Hegde, Civil & Human Rights Attorney for the Law Center, told the U.N. Human Rights Committee that the lack of affordable housing in the U.S. helps fuel the harmful narrative that mental health issues are a root cause of homelessness. Hegde said that many U.S. jurisdictions like New York City are using forced treatment policies as a proxy to criminalize homelessness. Read more from Invisible People : https://loom.ly/IIuQ5SQ

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a disappointing ruling stating that the U.S. Constitution does not protect people experiencing homelessness from cruel and unusual punishment. Arresting or fining individuals for homelessness is inhumane, expensive, and fails to address the root causes of the issue. Our outreach teams play a crucial role in our strategy, working tirelessly to reduce the criminalization of homelessness. By fostering personal relationships with our neighbors and building trust, our teams become vital resources for the community. As one of the largest outreach teams in Atlanta, we remain committed to collaborating with our partners and law enforcement to mitigate the impact of this ruling on the most vulnerable in our community. https://lnkd.in/e7zbw2Cp #Homelessness #CommunitySupport #Outreach #HumanRights #Atlanta

Thank you to Fox News TV for publishing my latest piece ~ on an important "homeless rights" case out of Oregon that has the potential to upend the way cities have addressed homelessness for time immemorial. The best way to address the homeless crisis long term is to relax strict zoning laws that have contributed to the high price of housing our nation faces; costs that make it hard for many to afford housing. By making it easier and cheaper to build housing, we will get more housing- Increase supply, and the prices will go down. Econ 101. I'll have more to say about that in our PLF amicus brief on the case, which we expect to file later this winter. Meanwhile, in my op-ed, I talk about a different issue the case opens up: that is, does the Constitution demand that the government do things for us, or does the Constitution protect us from the government interfering with our rights to pursue what we want to pursue? Here, the Ninth Circuit said that local governments owe the homeless a bed/a place to sleep. If that's true, then years of Court precedent are about to be swept away. https://lnkd.in/g6pF5Sx6

#SupremeCourtofUSA upholds Oregon #ban on #homeless people camping outdoors. Social sciences point to a number of reasons for #homelessness. These can include #DeathofFamilyBreadwinner, #DomesticViolence, #SuddenIllness, #MentalIllness, #ChronicUnemployment, #ChildAbuse; which can all cause further deterioration of #mentalhealth and #substanceabuse issues. Admittedly, I am yet to read the full judgment. Still, I can't help but feel that if a country's judicial and political systems prioritise fighting homeless people over fighting the reasons behind homelessness, if they don't seem to have a credible system of #SeparationOfPowers, I would think twice before idolising their idea of #democracy or trusting their position as #TheWorldsPoliceman. I don't want this to be the norm anywhere in the world, let alone in Australia. https://lnkd.in/gtsWwDZf

The Supreme Court's decision to criminalize homelessness has significant implications for youth aged 18-24. This ruling exacerbates the challenges faced by young people experiencing homelessness, potentially leading to legal repercussions that further hinder their ability to access housing, employment, and social services. The criminalization of homelessness also perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization, impacting the overall well-being and future prospects of these individuals. It is crucial to address this issue through comprehensive support systems and advocacy for policies that prioritize housing stability and social inclusion for youth experiencing homelessness.