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New Study: Orlando On Leading Edge Of Criminalizing Homelessness


July 17, 2014 | WMFE - Orlando is criticized for criminalizing homelessness in a new study by a national advocacy group examining how municipalities treat homeless people.

The report from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty singles out Orlando and six other US cities for what it calls “bad criminalization policies.”

According to the study, “Thirty-four percent of homeless people in the Orlando area are without shelter beds, yet the city restricts or prohibits camping, sleeping, begging, and food-sharing.”

The report, called "No Safe Place," says more and more cities have banned activities like sleeping in public places or vehicles, sitting in certain areas, or storing personal possessions outside.

Study authors say those laws turn basic life-sustaining activities of homeless people into criminal acts.

They conclude that the laws are ineffective, costly, and only offer temporary solutions.

Recommendations in the report include reversing the nationwide trend of criminalizing homelessness, and increasing federal spending to provide housing and other assistance programs.

 

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