#IAskForHelpBecause Campaign

A campaign dedicated to working with legal and local organizing partners in an allied push to get communities to repeal their anti-panhandling ordinances and work towards constructive solutions, housing not handcuffs.

Panhandling

Begging, solicitation, or panhandling are the names given to acts of asking for help by people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness, often by ordinances that criminalize this act. With more people finding themselves unable to meet their basic needs due to falling wages and rising rents, these ordinances are increasing across the country—more than 43% in the past 10 years

Common Myths Around Panhandling

Myth: I should/ shouldn’t give panhandlers money

  • Fact: The decision to donate money rests solely on you. There is nothing wrong with giving money to those who ask for help. If you choose not to give, make eye contact and decline politely.

Myth: Panhandlers will spend donated money on drugs or alcohol

  • Fact: Several studies show that when money is donated to panhandlers, most spend it primarily on food and other necessities

Myth: Panhandlers make tons of money

  • Fact: One study estimates that the average panhandler only makes about 300 dollars per month panhandling. When people ask for help it’s because they need it

Myth: Panhandlers are lazy and don’t want to work

  • Fact: The success of work programs in cities like Albuquerque, NM show us that panhandlers who can work will if given the opportunity to do so

Myth: Anti-panhandling ordinances will decrease panhandling

  • Fact: Panhandling is caused by lack of adequate, affordable housing, low wages, lack of health care, and other systemic causes. Addressing people’s survival needs is the best way to end panhandling.

The Campaign

The landmark Norton v. Springfield case in 2015 set a precedent that deems most panhandling laws on the books today unconstitutional. Since that time, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty has worked together with its partners to get communities to repeal their anti-panhandling ordinances. In 2018 The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty initiated the #IAskForHelpBecause campaign  to help humanize those who need to ask for help while advocating for their constitutional right to do so. The #IAskForHelpBecause campaign uses legal and organizing partners to stop the enforcement of unconstitutional panhandling ordinances and to promote more constructive approaches to addressing the hunger and homelessness that creates the need for panhandling.

4 Reasons Why You Should Support Repealing Anti-Panhandling Laws and Replacing Them with Housing, Jobs, and Services

1

The Supreme Court and lower courts have repeatedly found that asking for help is protected speech under the First Amendment.

2

Anti-panhandling laws fail to address the under lying causes of homelessness and poverty in the community, and in fact make it worse by putting arrest records, fines, and fees in the way of those trying to exit homelessness.

3

Studies show providing housing and services costs two-to-three times less than cycling homeless persons through the criminal justice system.

4

Repealing anti-panhandling ordinances does not mean promoting panhandling-it means freeing up police resources that can be redirected to housing and services that will actually end the need for people to ask for help in the first place

Campaign Activity

Plot 3

In 2019 the Law Center launched the second round of our #IAskForHelpBecause campaign. We worked closely with 12 partner organizations in 8 states to send letters to 37 cities across the country. This year’s campaign had a greater focus on utilizing our organizing partners. They informed communities across the country about not only the campaign but why anti-panhandling laws are so harmful. They shared infographics, one-pagers, and fact sheets through their channels while our legal partners challenged cities.

Thank you to our 2019 partners organizations.

ACLU of Illinois, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, ACLU of Iowa, ACLU of Mississippi, ACLU of New York, On the Streets Committee, HerStory Ensemble, ACLU of Delaware, National Network for Youth, ACLU New Mexico.

2018 marked the launch of the first #IAskForHelpBecause campaign. We initiated the campaign with a pilot project coalition of 15 partner organizations in 12 states, including ACLU affiliates in Northern California, Colorado, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The coalition’s objective was to work together in a concerted push to stop the enforcement of these unconstitutional panhandling ordinances and promote more constructive approaches to addressing the hunger and homelessness that creates the need for panhandling. On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, our partner organizations sent coordinated letters to government officials in cities where panhandling is banned to demand the repeal of such restrictions on free speech. We our partners sent letters to more than 200 cities gaining local and national press on the issue while also putting pressure on the cities to repeal without the need for litigation.

Our efforts saw success, with more than 70 cities repealing, reviewing, or readdressing their panhandling ordinances.

Thank you to our 2018 partner organizations

ACLU Northern California, Legal Services of Northern California, ACLU Colorado, Southern Legal Counsel, ACLU-Florida, Florida Legal Services, Florida Housing Umbrella Group, National Lawyers Guild South Florida Chapter, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, ACLU Illinois, ACLU Ohio, ACLU New Mexico, ACLU Iowa, ACLU Oregon, ACLU Wisconsin, ACLU Vermont, One-80 Place

Resources

Get Involved

Individuals, Legal organizations , Grassroots organizations , and Advocacy organizations can participate in the #IAskForHelpBecause Campaign. Participation can range from sending demand letters to cities, organization public actions, or even sharing ready-to-publish social media materials. Contact the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty to find out ways you can join the campaign.

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