Decriminalizing Homelessness

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 A new bill is looking to be passed on 3/9 called the Oregon Right to Rest Act HB 2367.

This bill aims to decriminalize being homeless. It will allow the homeless to be able to rest in rest without worry. They cannot be arrested or harassed for being in public places. To be more specific, they will not be allowed to be arrested for using and moving in public spaces, resting, eating, praying and parking in public. This bill will also look to prevent unlawful seizure and destruction to personal belongings as if they were personal property.

Criminalization doesn’t directly reduce homelessness but instead is a waste of public resources. Taking them in and processing them wastes time and resources that could be allocated for actual crime and investigation. Decriminalizing would help redistribute these public resources to where they are needed.

According to a survey, 88% of the homeless are harassed for sleeping, 83% are harassed for sitting or lying down, and 78% are harassed for loitering. They also found that 65% of the homeless don’t even know where it is safe and legal for them to sleep. The homeless can’t rest properly because of the harassment that they may receive from officers and guards. This harassment helps perpetuate their poor mental state and can make it worse due to the anxiety and stress that they might experience.

Hopefully this bill is passed and that this is one of many steps that we continue to make to fight homelessness.

Click here to learn more and support.

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