Combating the criminalization of homelessness

As data sharing between sectors becomes more widespread, it is important for homelessness response systems and providers to consider the ramifications of providing data to law enforcement. This brief provides an overview of existing privacy laws that protect people’s personal information, covers the risks of sharing homelessness data with law enforcement, and offers immediate steps that Continuums of Care (CoCs) and service providers can take to strengthen protections for participants.

Communities across the country are resisting the criminalization of homelessness. Evidence shows that criminalization is costly and counterproductive. This memo provides some background and steps communities can take to avoid these harmful policies.

This brief provides an overview of the history of civil commitments and the risks that they pose and offers immediate steps to advocate for individualized and voluntary care for individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

These fact sheets show the impact of local laws that criminalize people living outside.

This webinar co-hosted by Homebase and Destination: Home was designed to empower and educate Santa Clara County service providers, advocates, and community members about the legal rights of people experiencing homelessness, especially those affected by encampment sweeps and vehicle tows. The training also included information about reasonable accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities experiencing homelessness.

This session at the NAHRO National Conference explored the role PHAs can play in breaking the homelessness-criminal legal system cycle by implementing trauma-informed, low-barrier policies.