Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Project monitors and advocates nationally against local laws that "criminalize" homelessness by making it a crime to perform life-sustaining activities in public areas-- even when there are no private spaces available to the homeless person to perform these activities. For example, some communities prohibit sleeping in public spaces even when a homeless person in that community has nowhere else to sleep, such as a shelter or home. Other life-sustaining activities that may be prohibited in public spaces include eating and sitting.

The Civil Rights Project advocates against criminalization in multiple ways. The Law Center has published various informational factsheets as well as six reports analyzing the trend of "criminalization" laws in the United States. In addition, the Law Center has filed legal briefs around the country supporting homeless people's challenges to such laws. The Law Center also works with groups across the United States to provide technical assistance and implement constructive alternatives to criminalization. Finally, the Law Center serves as an information source to individuals and groups on local legal resources for homelessness issues.

Voting	BACK TO TOP

Read NLCHP's new voting manual co-authored by the National Coalition for the Homeless to find out how to help low-income and homeless people get more involved in the democratic process.

Join NLCHP to find out how you can support the first National Homeless and Low Income Voter Registration Week from September 24 - 30.

Hate Crimes & Violence
Have you experienced or witnessed criminalization of homelessness in public spaces?
Please call Tulin Ozdeger, Civil Rights Staff Attorney at 202-638-2535 to learn ways to challenge these measures in your community.

New Model State Legislation - With hate crimes/violence against homeless people escalating, NLCHP and NCH are asking local advocates and service providers to have legislation introduced in your respective State Legislatures. Read this important model legislation authored by National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) and National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH).

Hate Crimes Testimony - Read the testimony submitted by NLCHP to the Maryland State Senate on Hate Crimes Bill 539 - Expanding Prohibitions and Protected Classes of People/

Fact Sheets Available:

Information about Voting Rights
A Fact Sheet explaining what you need to register and vote.

Free Guide Booklets Available:

NEW! Solutions through Alternative Remedies: Practical Models to Help End Homelessness

Combating the Criminalization of Homelessness
A guide to understand and prevent legislation that criminalizes life-sustaining activities.

Constructive Alternatives to Criminalization
Models to replicate and useful tips to consider.

NLCHP members may download a free copy of the following briefs from the Publications & Reports section of our web site. Members simply log-in with their given username and password.
Learn more about NLCHP membership.

Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada
On December 15, 2003 the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, the National Coalition for the Homeless, Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, and National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, with substantial assistance from Sidley, Austin, Brown & Wood, filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in support of the petitioner in Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada to the United States Supreme Court. The case presented the question of whether the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution prohibit police from compelling individuals to identify themselves when stopped for investigation based on less than probable cause. The amicus brief focused on homeless peoples’ right to be free from unreasonable seizures, especially in light of the difficulties they face in obtaining identification. In addition, the brief pointed to the growing phenomenon of criminalizing homelessness and its use as a tool for police to subject homeless people more frequently to unjustified investigations. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for this case on March 22, 2004. click here

Currier vs. United States Postal Service
On July 10, NLCHP filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in a lawsuit challenging the United States Postal Service's (USPS) refusal to provide homeless persons with free P.O. boxes. Federal law requires USPS to provide free P.O. boxes to anyone who cannot receive carrier delivery service. However, the agency has interpreted this law to exclude homeless persons - who are unable to receive mail delivery service through no fault of their own. Ironically, among those eligible for free P.O. boxes are homeowners who cannot receive mail delivery service for safety reasons that are completely under their control - USPS workers refuse to go on their property because they keep dangerous dogs or other animals.

The National Coalition for the Homeless provides directories of both direct service providers, including a state-by-state listing of shelters, and local advocacy groups that serve the homeless community.

Please browse through the links on our site to find more helpful information on the rights of the homeless.

Know Your Rights A pocket sized voting and registration information card. Just print, copy, and cut, these informative double sided cards for your clients, or for yourself.

The National Coalition for the Homeless has many useful materials on homeless persons' voting rights.