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Homelessness

Whether you live under a bridge or in a mansion makes no difference. In America, the Constitution applies to everybody. Unfortunately, cities and counties continue to pass laws that undermine basic human rights for people who are unhoused. Laws against encampments, trespassing and panhandling cause homeless people to be evicted from their dwellings, result in the destruction of their belongings, and restrict their free speech right to ask for help. When government restricts these essential, life-sustaining activities, it wrongly makes it a crime for homeless people to attempt to survive.

Resources

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, August 1, 2024
ACLU of Washington sues City of Spokane over anti-camping and sit-and-lie laws, alleging cruel punishment under state constitution
Published: 
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
A Q&A with Jewels Helping Hands, a Spokane-based service organization working with people who are unhoused
Published: 
Friday, July 12, 2024
Let’s examine what anti-camping laws are, the effects of their enforcement, and discuss alternatives that address the ongoing crisis of homelessness more compassionately and effectively.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, June 28, 2024
ACLU Responds to Supreme Court Decision that Cities Can Punish People for Being Homeless
Published: 
Thursday, June 20, 2024
In order to understand the broader systemic issue of housing instability and homelessness, we need to start by debunking some of the most common myths.
Published: 
Monday, May 13, 2024
Johnson v. Grants Pass: A breakdown of the case before the Supreme Court and what it could mean for people experiencing homelessness
News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Brief Argues that the Constitutional Prohibition on ‘Cruel and Unusual Punishments’ Prevents Cities from Arresting or Fining People Experiencing Homelessness for Sleeping in Public
News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The ACLU of Washington is committed to protecting the rights of unhoused people, and we urge community leaders to condemn this violence.
Published: 
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Imagine if government agents came to your home with little or no warning and carted away everything you own, throwing away most or all of it, and providing only a phone number you can call to see if you can get back whatever the government agents didn’t throw out.

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