Latest News
LA Homeless Services Authority Adopts Progressive Policy for Unsheltered Homelessness
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Adopts New Guiding Principles and Practices for Unsheltered Homelessness NLCHP Contact: Cassidy Waskowicz Acting Director of Development & Communications cwaskowicz@homelesslaw.org 202-638-2535 ext 105 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 7, 2019, Los Angeles, CA) – On February 28, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) adopted new policy that calls for decriminalizing life-sustaining survival actions of the more than 40,000 Los Angelenos who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The policy, entitled Guiding [...]
IJT – February 2019
February 2019 SUBSCRIBE Dear Friends— February is Black History Month, but racism is a reality every month, and it permeates every aspect of American society. Homelessness and poverty are no exception. African Americans make up 12.4 percent of the general U.S. population, 23.5% of the total poverty population-and a staggering 42.6 percent of the U.S. homeless population. The [...]
Advocacy Groups Take Legal Action on Florida Panhandling Bans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A group of advocacy organizations and pro bono attorneys are suing St. Johns County Sheriff David B. Shoar and Florida Highway Patrol Director Gene Spaulding on behalf of Peter Vigue, a St. Augustine resident who has been arrested by both law enforcement agencies for standing on the public right of way and holding a sign soliciting donations. The suit, filed on February 12, 2019, challenges the constitutionality of Florida statutes that prohibit [...]
As Shutdown Puts Families at Risk of Homelessness, Federal Law Protects Children’s School Rights
As Shutdown Puts Families at Risk of Homelessness, Federal Law Protects Children’s School Rights FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cassidy Waskowicz Acting Director of Development & Communications 202-638-2535 cwaskowicz@homelesslaw.org (January 25, 2019, Washington, D.C.) – Over 2.5 million children experience homelessness each year in the U.S., and advocates fear their ranks will increase due to the continuing government shutdown. As the 800,000 federal government employees currently [...]
Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign Demands Repeal of Panhandling Bans
On August 28, the Law Center and partners of the Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign launched a nationwide effort to strike down bans on panhandling. Advocates in a dozen states are demanding more than 200 cities repeal panhandling bans and redirect resources to housing. Learn more here.
Victory in the 9th Circuit!
A federal court ruled that punishing people without access to shelter for sleeping in public is unconstitutional in the case of Martin v. Boise. The impact of this case is making waves across the nation. Read what Senior Attorney Eric Tars has to say about what this means for advocates and cities.
Photos from the 2018 National Forum on the Human Right to Housing
Over 150 advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., to attend the 2018 National Forum on the Human Right to Housing on June 27 hosted by Sidley Austin LLP. Photos are available on the Law Center's Facebook, and follow #Right2HousingForum on Twitter for updates.
Just Released: State Index on Youth Homelessness
The Law Center and the True Colors Fund released the State Index on Youth Homelessness, a first-of-its-kind resource that evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. Read our press release, view the online interactive map, and read the full report. The state index received media coverage in the Associated Press, Variety Magazine, Billboard Magazine, and the Washington Post. Special thanks to the Raikes Foundation, Latham & Watkins LLP, The Carlyle Group, Simpson Thacher & [...]
