Target: Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Goal: Do not support federal stigmatization and criminalization of homelessness.
“Concern,” “uncertainty,” “cruel,” “inhumane”: these are some of the words used to describe an executive order, recently signed by the president, that addresses homelessness. The order gives states and localities almost uniform authority to remove living encampments and to commit homeless people involuntarily to mental health and addiction facilities. In addition to institutionalizing the unhoused, the order also strips away funding for policies that prioritize securing stable housing for the homeless.
A lack of affordable housing has been identified as a major driver of the homeless crisis. Programs that work hand-in-hand with individuals to secure housing, while offering assistive treatment services, have been proven as an effective tool. But moving first to institutionalization and involuntary commitment comes dangerously close to designating homelessness itself as a crime, as does making homeless encampments illegal. Critics believe this order, in addition to striking at human rights, will also exacerbate homelessness and push the number of unhoused individuals in the United States past one million.
Sign the petition below to demand leaders stop treating the homeless as a dirty little secret to be locked away from public view.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Turner,
“People need homes, not handcuffs; healthcare, not institutionalization; and above all, compassion, not criminality.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters has aptly summarized the very real concerns that a recent executive order on homelessness has created. The order flies in the face of dedicated, on-the-ground research that demonstrates a law enforcement-focused approach to the unhoused crisis will never work and will, in fact, compound the problem. Moreover, this dictate relies on stereotypes and stigmas about homeless people, many of whom find themselves in these circumstances because of economic and societal factors.
As the person responsible for overseeing the United States’ housing sector, please stand against a cruel directive that will ultimately separate more Americans from affordable, stable housing opportunities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Christopher Michel
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