The ACLU of Washington’s Homeless Advocacy Toolkit is a set of resources to assist local advocacy efforts against the criminalization of homelessness by municipal governments across Washington. This Toolkit includes template letters, primers on important cases, and sets of talking points on (1) anti-panhandling ordinances (2) the criminalization of camping and (3) sweeps of encampments by city officials. Also included are copies of court decisions and secondary sources on these same issues. While we hope these resources are helpful for advocates combating unjust policies and practices affecting unhoused persons, please note that nothing contained in these materials constitutes legal advice by the ACLU-WA.
The ACLU-WA would like to thank the Homeless Rights Advocacy Project of Seattle University School of Law. Much of this toolkit was possible due to the resources and scholarship made available through HRAP’s work for the rights of Washington’s homeless residents.
Resources for Advocates
Talking Points | Advocacy Letter Templates | Important Case Law & FAQ | |
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Anti-Camping Ordinances | ![]() |
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Anti-Panhandling Ordinances | ![]() |
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Homeless Encampment Sweeps | ![]() |
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Additional Resources
Anti-Camping OrdinancesCase Law:
- Bell v. Boise - DOJ Statement of Interest
- Everett v. Bluhm - Memorandum Decision
- North Bend v. Bradshaw - Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law
- ACLU-WA & HRAP Ltr. re. DOJ Statement of Interest in Bell v. Boise
- ACLU-WA Letter to Yakima City Council re. Criminalization of Camping
- Lakewood v. Willis - Petitioner's Brief
- Lakewood v. Willis - Respondent's Brief
- Lakewood v. Willis - ACLU-WA Amicus Brief
- Lakewood v. Willis - CLS Amicus Brief
- Lakewood v. Willis - Opinion
Ellis v. Clark County:
- Amended Complaint
- Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
- Reply in Support of Partial Summary Judgment
- Order on Summary Judgment
- Seattle U HRAP: At What Cost: The Minimum Costs of Criminalizing Homelessness in Seattle & Spokane
- Seattle U HRAP: No Rest for the Weary
- Seattle U HRAP: Shut Out: How Barriers Often Prevent Meaningful Access to Emergency Shelter
- Seattle U HRAP: Washington's War on the Poor: A Survey of Criminalizing Ordinances & Their Enforcement