Category Archives: Civil Rights

The 2015 National Forum on the Human Right to Housing

Posted on September 11, 2015 by homelessnesslaw

Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25 marked the Law Center’s two-day National Forum on the Human Right to Housing, hosted by the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C. The event gathered organizers, attorneys and legal service providers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Youth, Civil Rights, Criminalization, Domestic Violence, Housing, Human Rights, Race, Veterans | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Food-Sharing Ordinance in Dallas Revised

Posted on December 18, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

On Wednesday, December 10, the Law Center formally settled our long-standing litigation with the city of Dallas, over the city’s ordinance imposing unreasonable burdens on religious and other nonprofit organizations seeking to share food with homeless persons in public spaces.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization, Human Rights, Hunger | Leave a comment

No Safe Place: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities

Posted on July 16, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

Imagine living in a place where it is illegal to sleep, sit, lie down, or share food outdoors. Imagine that this is a place where you are often ignored or rejected by your fellow townspeople, police officers, and local elected … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | 3 Comments

Countering Criminalization: Constitutional Challenges Under the Fourteenth Amendment

Posted on July 3, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

This is the part six of our Countering Criminalization blog series, examining Constitutional Challenges and Constructive Alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees all Americans due process and equal protection of the laws. States and cities cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Countering Criminalization: Constitutional Challenges Under the Eighth Amendment

Posted on May 23, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

This is the part five of our Countering Criminalization blog series, examining Constitutional Challenges and Constructive Alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness. With national and local shortages of affordable housing and shelter beds, people experiencing homelessness are frequently left with … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Countering Criminalization: Constitutional Challenges Under the Fourth Amendment

Posted on May 9, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

This is the part four of our Countering Criminalization blog series, examining Constitutional Challenges and Constructive Alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness. One of the basic rights that Americans enjoy every day is security against unreasonable searches and seizures. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Countering Criminalization: Constitutional Challenges Under the First Amendment – Free Exercise of Religion

Posted on May 7, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

This is part three of our Countering Criminalization blog series, examining Constitutional Challenges and Constructive Alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness. Caring for people in need is a core element of many people’s religious beliefs. Some religious organizations may express this … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Countering Criminalization: Constitutional Challenges Under the First Amendment – Freedom of Speech

Posted on April 25, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

This is the part two of our Countering Criminalization blog series, examining Constitutional Challenges and Constructive Alternatives to the criminalization of homelessness. In some cities, homeless people are fined and even arrested for sitting or lying down in public spaces, … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Believing the Unbelievable: Sharing a Model for Domestic Human Rights Implementation

Posted on April 11, 2014 by homelessnesslaw

Yesterday was a day I believed would come for human rights, but now that it’s happened, it’s still hard to believe. I was asked by the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to come to a meeting they were hosting together with … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Criminalization, Domestic Violence, Human Rights | 1 Comment

Criminalization of Homelessness: From Europe to Eugene

Posted on September 30, 2013 by homelessnesslaw

In November, 2012, the Hungarian Constitutional Court won international acclaim when it struck down a law that criminalized homelessness. That acclaim turned to condemnation as the lead political party responded by changing the Constitution to condone local authorities who criminally … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Human Rights | 1 Comment