Criminalize Homelessness

Words: 784

Pages: 4

Open Document

Beyond Bars: Homelessness Should Not Be Treated Like A Crime Jacqueline E. Sevoie

May 14, 2024

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) -We should not criminalize people experiencing homelessness in the United States because it is ineffective at addressing the societal problems that affect every citizen. Instead, the criminalization of homelessness disguises underlying systemic issues and perpetuates poverty in citizens across America.

Stigmatization The act of criminalizing homelessness traumatizes and further stigmatizes the homeless population. It hurts people and pushes them deeper into homelessness. Homelessness is a very traumatic living situation that can ruin people's lives for years on end. Stigmatization of those experiencing homelessness by leaders …show more content…
Homelessness is a complex and intertwined result of a lack of basic human needs. Research shows that many people become homeless due to poverty wages and a low national minimum wage. As the price of items goes up and the median household income remains the same, this directly contributes to the rise in homeless families. Many people are a couple of paychecks away from becoming homeless.

There is a link between the lack of affordable housing in California and the rising homeless rates. California has some of the highest housing prices in the United States. We will not be able to lower increasing homelessness rates unless more affordable housing options become available for extremely low-income renters. The lack of affordable housing and the stress of working to afford housing hurts people. Everyone deserves safe shelter because when someone is homeless, it negatively impacts their physical and mental health.

The lack of comprehensive healthcare exacerbates health issues among the homeless population. Without stable access to physical, mental, and substance abuse health facilities, health issues that affect homeless people can go untreated and lead to chronic health problems later in life, including death. Research shows that people experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk of early and preventable

Criminalize Homelessness

National Alliance to End Homelessness”(Williams,2016). President Obama has been able to decrease the homeless population but now he and others are trying to help the bigger problem which is helping homeless kids and families. Over the next 10 years president Obama is planning to spend 11 million dollars to help end family homelessness. Some aspects of homelessness should not be criminalized for the benefits of the homeless. Although some may argue that some aspects of homelessness should be criminalized…

Words 1458 - Pages 6

Research paper

our Homeless class and volunteers get the justice that they deserved ultimately? Unfortunately, our city failed in this aspect. Robin Stuart, commissioner of the homeless shelter Christian service center stated that “the city is taking a step to criminalize good-hearted people, who are trying to help.” (Orlando Sentinel, 2006). Sam Ings a retired police officer, who collaborates with Robert Stuart, also stated that “The Ordinance just shows “That Orlando doesn’t care.” But instead, were putting a band-aid…

Words 1359 - Pages 6

Final Essay

Jose Rodriguez Portillo ETST 109J Professor Mitchell June 12, 2014 Knowledge: The Enabling of White Supremacy Question #2 In her essay, Whiteness as Property, Cheryl Harris delineates the complexities of passing and white privilege. She describes her grandmother’s experience of passing as white in order to work, stating that it was a survival strategy precipitated by the racist social and political context at the time. As Harris states, this became, “the valorization of whiteness as a treasured…

Words 2191 - Pages 9

Essay on Domestic violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior which involves violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic context, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Intimate partner violence is domestic violence against a spouse or other intimate partner. Domestic violence can take place in heterosexual or same-sex relationships. Domestic violence can take a number of forms including physical, emotional, verbal, economic and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital…

Words 7755 - Pages 32

Stonewall Riots Research Paper

Some countries have laws that criminalize same-sex relationships or restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to marry or adopt children, creating legal barriers to equality. Socially, stigma and prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals persist, contributing to higher rates of mental health issues, homelessness, and violence within the community. LGBTQ+ youth may face rejection from family and peers, leading to feelings…

Words 2738 - Pages 11