Experts Agree: Stop Arresting Homeless People

Discover the harsh realities of homelessness across America in this compelling episode. We explore the criminalization of homelessness, from Miami's Overtown to policies sweeping across states, both red and blue. Listen as policy experts and legal advocates discuss systemic failures and bipartisan consensus that continue to push vulnerable individuals further into the margins. We address the urgent need for housing solutions, the dangerous myths surrounding homelessness, and the pivotal Supreme Court case that could change everything. This conversation is crucial for turning the tide and restoring dignity to those living on the streets.

Our guests include:

David Peery, Lawyer, Activist, and Founder of Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity

Mari Castaldi, Director of State Housing Policy with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Jesse Rabinowitz, MSW, LGSW, Communications and Campaign Director at National Homelessness Law Center

Executive producer: Mark Horvath
Associate producer: Erin McGinnis
Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis

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About Invisible People

There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.

We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.

This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.

However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.

Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.

[darkwing]

The way housing prices are going up, everyone who isn't rich is going to end up homeless.

[bigsarge]

Inhumane treatment never has efficacy as a solution.

[cheri]

The problem is that, as most know, our system has been so corrupted in all areas by those in powers of greed, and all societies are being tramatized by it. Thank all you for taking action and raising awareness that may bring changes.
Empathy ❤❤❤❤

[CoolBreezeHeals]

I lived on the streets of Las Vegas for three months after losing my job and home because my spine got damaged and I could not afford rent. To stay at one of the shelters we homeless had to all gather across the street and wait while the disabled homeless were allowed in first. Then security would signal and all of us homeless people - in a flock, had to cross the street and form a line to get a bed for the night.
We called it the Chicken Run.
Police who needed a few wins for the week would sometimes arrest a person or two for jaywalking - to fill their ticket quota or whatever.
I don't do drugs and neither did 1/2 the homeless I met at the shelters - they were good, decent people who got fucked by the system and didn't know how to recover.
There are not enough people willing to help..

[LBG-cfgu]

i was homeless over the winter of '76-'77. the rescue mission required attending services for each of 3 meals & another for a flop. church 4 times a day. the central library was a haven from walking all day in bitter weather. so coming in from being cold all day you'd grab a book & soon find yourself nodding out. then they'd show you the door. it was a truly dickensian existence.
i'm currently homeless but sheltered in a hotel. invisible people indeed!

[one-stopgodshop]

Everyone deserves shelter, food clothing, education as a bare minimum!!!! Thank you so much for bringing this to light. It's barbaric - the way people are treated. I have been homeless and I have a bachelor's degree in media! It can happen to anyone, any time - just like health/mental health. Those who treat the poor and sick unjustly will be judged by almighty God the most harshly. Slumlords, politicians, development companies are YOU listening?

[Christian-xebg]

Homelessness is not a crime. The great gap between the poor people and the "super-rich" is a crime against democracy.

[lindapazevic]

You can't be punished out of homelessness

[valerienagle]

Seattle Police budget is insufficient for dealing with real crime, yet they continue spending on sweeps. Violent crime is out of control here.

[VigorousGypsyWithVengeance]

The Rich do not want to relinquish their pedestal.

[meggrotte]

The problem is the people who have the money don't want to end it

[civirebel]

Sadly, having come from a family without a mother, and always on the edge of homeless or being homeless, this is more ordinary than anyone will or wants to admit. Poverty itself, or allowing vulnerable populations to be exploited, used, and discarded like objects is the worst of all crimes, and seems to be all too common in modernized cultures. There will always be vultures exploiting and abusing people that have no other options... And, the traumas from these events don't just magically disappear to be bootstrapped and overcome...

[ameliadiaz]

What's next? The burning of the homeless as death sentence as in Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame?

[charlesyates]

Desantis has crimanalized homelessness in florida . Over 60'000 incarcerated and counting . He feels the perfect salution is to exicute the homeless but law won't leagley alow that but he did tell police if they accidentally die while being arrested he will assure them the qualified amunity they deserve.

[donnaberthold]

I'm 60 years old female worked when I was young I'm disabled widowed I can't work I do get SSI not enough to rent even a room I've been homeless now for 10 years all alone I don't drink or do any drugs I do suffer depression but I believe that would be better if I was able to get housing. I've been applying for everything housing I can nothing yet. I'm in walnut Creek area I pray I get some help somehow before I succumb to the elements. I've had frostbite and heat stroke and my health is getting worse because of living the way I have to. Please pray for me and my little doggie.

[bkt]

It's the political will that is lacking. Everyone I know is mad, but we don't know where the "lever to pull" is. Thanks for bringing these great presenters together to get me closer to understanding what the argument actually is.

[leannot]

Thank you wonderful people!! to stand up and post, and these truths!

[AUTISTICLYCAN]

I think the lady in this video is the most out of touch glassy eyed liberal I've ever seen but she makes the strongest point when combined with the black mans best point. Housed people do say "We just want to see this homeless encampment GONE NOW!" I know this is true because I used to be one of those vocal homeowners demanding my elected officials to just GET RID OF THIS DAMNED eyesore in our midst. I remember yelling "How can you call this a luxury community with that garbage on our streets!" Then I remember watching an Invisible People video that asked, "You want the encampment GONE NOW? DONE! Where do people who must live in the encampment go that lets them live safely and legally?" I had no answer.

[markjeffries]

Here in Oklahoma, a majority of homeless are drug addicts and are violent (my son deals with them every day as an EMT). There are resources available for them to get help. We've tried housing, and the housing gets trashed. Because of the violence against the police, medical, and shelter personnel, those who are violent need to be locked up. However, because of their mental health, they can't be arrested. There is no longer a state-run mental institution in the OKC metro area, so they are released on the street. How do you help those who do not want help? Housing First has not worked here. What do we do now?

[stanarkissed]

All the charities refer to each other. They hand out a list of places to call and none of them actually do much. They cherry pick some cases that look good in pictures and help those few. The charities' primary function is to employ their staff. None of whom start out homeless or impoverished. Once you have used the support system, it will never hire you.