Political Effects of Homelessness in the USA
The political effects of homelessness in the USA are far-reaching. Homelessness affects the political rights, civil rights and human rights of homeless people in every state. As more people become homeless, community resources are burdened. Some communities respond by criminalizing survival activities such as begging and public sleeping.
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Census Data
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Census data are used by state governments to create the boundaries of congressional districts. Changes in a state's population may result in a gain or a loss of a representative in Congress. The homeless population has been consistently underreported due to difficulties in obtaining accurate counts. Distribution of federal funds to states for schools, roads, hospitals and housing is affected by census data. Underreporting of homeless numbers hurts the distribution of federal funds to states to combat problems such as poverty and homelessness.
Human Rights
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The United States recognizes that homelessness is a human rights problem. In March 2011, the U.S. government filed a response to the United Nations Human Rights Council review. The United States pledged to take measures to protect the rights of homeless people. The recognition of housing as a basic human right creates a political obligation for the U.S. government to take steps to reduce homelessness. The federal government is expected to increase funding for rent subsidies and housing vouchers to help meet its obligation to protect the rights of homeless people.
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Criminalization
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Criminalization of homelessness includes city ordinances and zoning laws that prohibit survival activities such as begging, sleeping in public spaces and food sharing. Homeless people often have no alternative but to sleep in public areas such as parks because of a shortage of shelter space. Local officials respond to voter pressure to do something about homeless people by enacting laws designed to deter the homeless from engaging in survival activities. Criminalizing public sleeping and begging is a violation of constitutional rights of homeless people. The arrest of homeless people burdens local jail and court resources.
Budget Cuts
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Funding to combat homelessness is a big part of the budget battle in Congress. The Department of Housing and Urban Development -- HUD -- provides block grants to the states to fund transitional housing and other services for homeless people. HUD provides rental assistance to poor families and veterans to help prevent homelessness. The political battle over the budget places thousands of families at risk of homelessness.
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References
- National Coalition for the Homeless: Census 2010: Service-Based Enumeration (SBE) Operation
- National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; Homelessness Implicates Human Rights Obligations; March 15, 2011
- National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and The National Coalition for the Homeless; "Homes Not Handcuffs: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities"' July 2009 (PDF)
- United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: FY 2010 Continuum of Care Grants Awards
- United States Interagency Council on Homelessness: Fiscal Year 2012 Federal Government Homelessness Budget Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Economic Policy Institute; Discretionary Spending Cuts Would Reduce Jobs, Hurt Social Programs; Rebecca Thiess; January 25, 2011
Resources
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