What Happens When Cities Make Homelessness a Crime: Hiding The Homeless

A growing number of American cities are ticketing or arresting homeless people for essentially being homeless. The new laws ban behavior commonly associated with homelessness like reclining in public, sharing food or sitting on a sidewalk.

Supporters argue these measures are necessary to push homeless people into the shelter system and maintain public safety. Critics say the laws violate the rights of homeless people and ignore the more complicated drivers of homelessness like mental illness.

We found homeless people camping in the woods to escape police harassment, a homelessness consultant opposed to feeding homeless people and a city that uses solitary confinement to force homeless people into shelters.

VICE News began its investigation in Boise, ID, where a group of homeless people have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of these laws. Their case could change the way homeless people are treated across the country.

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[VICENews]

VICE News investigates the ways in which American cities are dealing with the issue of homelessness.

[roflmao]

So, you arrest someone who doesn't have a home and give them a criminal record that makes it harder for them to get a home...?

[RooftopRose]

Honestly, this mentality is everywhere in the US. Can't afford a place to live? Here's a fine. Can't afford your insurance rates? Here's a fine. Can't pay your bill exactly on time? Here's a late fee.

[dankwolf]

SIR YOU SEEM TO BE HOMELESS AND HAVE NO MONEY, PLEASE PAY THIS FINE FOR BEING HOMELESS AND MONEYLESS

[SamGallagher]

For those curious, Janet Bell et al won their lawsuit, which was upheld when the US supreme court refused to hear the defense. Some good news in all this.

[larrybelitsky]

Sadly, most folks are actually about 3 paychecks away from being homeless.

[mattyutahn]

I've been homeless since I was 17, I'm 29 now, I'm going to college for Child Psychology and work part time at Red Robin. I pay for motels when I can afford it and shower at Gyms. I haven't given up yet.

[williamminyard]

I was homeless a month ago...sleeping in my truck. Unbelievably i found employment and the owner lets me stay on the property in a 31ft trailer. 70 a week. I should have enough to get an apt. In couple months. I was never homeless in my 49 years...it can happen to anybody.

[youvgotmilk]

imagine making "sharing food" a crime. says alot about where our society is at.

[rawdog]

To fine the Homeless is literally the definition of trying to squeeze blood from a rock.

[pasquarielloanthony]

"I was homeless, but all the tickets cops gave me for being homeless I decided not to be homeless."
-nobody ever

[givemefivebucks]

I became homeless after a car accident, SSI isnt enough. I lost my apartment and I could not work anymore due to my injuries, it can happen to anyone.

[sassypants]

It's funny how homelessness is a "crime" but affordable housing is impossible to find. Maybe if a single months rent didn't cost half a months or a full months pay just to sleep.

[ericbartol]

There is now a program in Albuquerque for "micro-homes." I think it's pretty well conceived. The homeless get a tiny house (basically, a cubby with water, electricity and a place to cook and eat) with an address. I think the address is the most important part. They can fill out the address portion of the application so it won't count against them. That's a good step towards getting a job and ending homelessness.

[srorrim]

feeding people isnt to stop them being homeless. its to feed them because no one deserves to starve.

[cantrellakirkland]

I was homeless for almost three years and it was terrible sleeping outside we must remember that anybody can end up homeless show some compassion for the homeless

[gerardahern]

Boise pushed me and my wife out. They won't even let you live in your car with a trailer. The people from California moved in jacked up the rent and pushed everyone with low income out.

[joshglover]

The true measure of a society is how it treats it's weakest members... 😟

[Fungi_tripper]

Years back I lost everything and had nowhere to live. There wasn’t any room for me in the local shelter so I pitched a tent in the woods near the city convention center and was eventually arrested for illegal camping. Thankfully my life is good now but I will never forget those 14 months I struggled in the streets and was looked at like a piece of trash

[DaliaMiller]

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if the prison industry was lobbying for these laws