Michael Adams’ Post

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

Human Rights Watch unleashes scathing report on LA's homelessness crisis, exposing a system that perpetuates poverty, criminalizes unhoused individuals, and violates basic human rights. The report demands recognition of housing as a fundamental human right, an end to punitive measures like arrests and property confiscations, and a shift towards compassionate solutions that prioritize affordable housing, social services, and community-based care. Read full news at https://lnkd.in/dKANcDyc #LAHomeslessnessCrisis #HumanRightsAbuses #HousingIsAHumanRight #EndCriminalization #AffordableHousingNow #SocialServicesMatter #CommunityCare #HomelessnessSolutions #HumanRightsWatch

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

People experiencing homelessness face violations of a wide range of human rights. Access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. However, homelessness is not just about housing. A person who is homeless may be facing violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, the right to liberty and security of the person, the right to privacy, the right to social security, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to vote and many more. These human rights are protected by a number of international human rights treaties, including theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). For more information see the Commission's discussion paper, Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue. https://lnkd.in/gHWX2qM9

Proud to be one of the 57 social scientists who filed an amicus brief with Public Justice in support of the rights of people experiencing homelessness in the April 22 #JohnsonVGrantsPass Supreme Court case. Criminalizing homelessness is not only cruel and harmful, it goes against everything we know about how to resolve homelessness AND make communities safer for everyone. The fact that #SCOTUS is even hearing this case is a result of powerful stakeholders who are using people's concern about the crisis of homelessness to push false solutions that make people sicker, poorer, and, frankly, more likely to die. And these ordinances ultimately protect the interests of corporations and right-wing politicians, not everyday people who want to see fewer people living outside. We need solutions that work. I am so sad that the energy of my colleagues in research, advocacy, policy, and activism to end homelessness through quality affordable housing, tenant rights, and supportive services has to be drained by this distraction. But right now - it's vital that individuals and organizations (including universities) stand up and make it clear: criminalizing people for using a blanket, pillow, or cardboard box to sleep when there's nowhere else for them to go is not only harmful and unconstitutional - it is bad policy that will get the nation nowhere except deeper into its modern crisis of homelessness. #HousingNotHandcuffs #HousingisaHumanRight

🗣️ Housing-first does not = housing only. Louder for the lawmakers in the front. Asking anyone to “get clean” while in the all-consuming, devastating, 24-hour nightmare that is street homelessness is cruel. Not just cruel - it’s proven ineffective. A housing-first model is a multidisciplinary approach that looks at the whole human, and addresses basic needs, underlying issues, and ongoing support. It’s wraparound in its design. It’s proven effective. A roof overhead is a good night’s sleep. It’s a chance to shit indoors. It’s peace and quiet. It’s dignity. It’s a physical and psychological imperative - a basic human right. Especially in 120 degree heat. Especially in the midst of trauma. Especially in the worst housing crisis the Valley has ever seen. Is our local human services system perfect? Hell no. No such thing. But my colleagues and counterparts are experts and I support them with my full chest. The issues are complex, solutions must be systemic AND personal. The disagreement here is between experts and non-experts. Full stop. If you know anyone who works in homelessness solutions, thank them today. We’re under attack and it feels like we’re screaming into a void. If you want to be a part of real change, real solutions - ask me how.

📰👀 "Keys to Change CEO, Amy Schwabenlender, said her organization wasn't initially part of stakeholder meetings for the legislation but has since been invited to participate. "For me - lawmakers, policymakers, I'd like for them to spend more time with the people doing the work," Schwabenlender said, referring to lawmakers and policymakers. "Maybe ask us what could we be doing differently? What would make programs more effective? And sometimes that's more money, sometimes it could be an administrative change. We haven't really been asked what we need to improve our outcomes." In her experience, she said a treatment-first approach isn't evidence-based or considered a best practice in the field. And what she says they’re doing can be misunderstood. "I think what happens is that housing-first gets cut off to be housing-only," she said. "And that's not the definition of it. It is about meeting people where they're at." #EndHomelessness #BeLikeMike #HousingFirst #Prevention #Diversion #Solutions #Community #Leadership #CollaborationIsKey🔑 https://lnkd.in/g3WQdzhK

Recently, I was asked about my thoughts on encampment displacements, and I believe this article articulates the complexities and consequences most effectively. It delves into the nuanced challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and the broader social implications of displacement. As we continue to search for sustainable solutions, it's crucial to consider the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by these policies. #Homelessness #SupportiveHousing #SocialWork #PolicyAnalysis

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.

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.