LOCK THEM UP. That response and the criminalization of homelessness has become an all-too-common reaction to a problem that requires compassion, innovation, and long-term solutions.
Forty mayors from around the country convened in Washington, D.C., recently for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and declared homelessness the biggest crisis in the country today.
Cities across the country are grappling with the tension between short-term fixes, such as shelters and increased policing, and long-term strategies, like affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and decriminalization.
In Chicago, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased by 58 percent since 2016, leading the city to appoint its first Chief Homelessness Officer, Sendy Soto, to coordinate efforts and resources.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has proposed a record $5.6 billion spending plan that includes funding for additional homeless beds.
In Sacramento, an audit revealed that the city spent $57 million on homelessness response in 2023, highlighting the significant financial commitment required to address the issue.
The homelessness crisis in America reached new heights in 2023, with a staggering 653,104 individuals lacking permanent shelter, reflecting a 12 percent increase from the previous year. Homelessness increased in 41 states, with New York, Vermont, and Oregon having the highest per-capita rates.
Proponents of criminalization argue that strict laws and enforcement are necessary to maintain public order and safety, claiming that arrests and fines will encourage people experiencing homelessness to seek help and deter them from sleeping on the streets.
In Ogden, Utah, for example, “more than $1.5 million in ‘costs directly related to increased homeless public safety needs’” is listed in its application for grant funding
While these arguments to involve police to get people from living on the streets may seem compelling at first glance, many fail to recognize the complex realities of homelessness and the unintended consequences of criminalization.
How to perpetuate the cycle of poverty
As someone who has not only experienced homelessness firsthand but also struggles with the challenges of achieving housing and economic stability due to involvement with the criminal justice system, I know the constant fear and dehumanizing impact of criminalization. The barriers created by a criminal record can make it nearly impossible to secure stable housing and employment, perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty and homelessness.
When cities pour resources into policing and punishment, as they do in Utah and San Francisco, they divert funds from proven solutions like deeply affordable housing, mental health support, and job training programs that are critical for people like me who are striving to rebuild our lives.
Saddling individuals with criminal records, fines, and legal entanglements often perpetuates the cycle of homelessness. A 2021 study by the American Bar Association found that having a criminal record can reduce the likelihood of obtaining housing by up to 50 percent.
This means that the very policies meant to address homelessness are making it harder for people to secure stable living situations and employment.
The criminalization of homelessness also undermines the vital work of programs designed to help people escape poverty.
While involving police to get people from living on the streets may seem compelling at first glance, many fail to recognize the complex realities of homelessness and the unintended consequences of criminalization.
In Santa Clara County, initiatives like the Community Outreach Court and the San Jose State University Record Clearance Project have made significant strides in helping individuals clear their criminal records and access housing and employment opportunities.
However, the continued criminalization of homelessness threatens to undo this progress by burdening more people with criminal records and perpetuating the cycle of homelessness.
It is urgent to focus on evidence-based solutions that prioritize the well-being and dignity of those affected.
Taking what works and expanding it
A 2024 study by the Urban Institute found that communities that have successfully implemented Housing First programs have seen significant reductions in homelessness. The Urban Institute asserts that the rate of chronic homelessness in a community decreases as investment in permanent supportive housing increases.
This viewpoint is echoed by Ray Bramson, Chief Operating Officer at Destination: Home, who writes, “The simple fact of the matter is that we can’t arrest our way out of what really is a housing crisis. The alternative, then, is to take what works and expand it considerably.”
Addressing the homelessness crisis requires a balanced and comprehensive approach that combines short-term relief with long-term solutions. While shelters and temporary assistance can help meet immediate needs, they must be coupled with efforts to expand affordable housing, decriminalize homelessness, and address the structural inequalities that perpetuate poverty.
It is time for policymakers, advocates, community members and foundations to invest in affordable housing, mental health support, job training programs, and to mimic successful initiatives.
It is possible to create a more just and compassionate society that upholds the dignity of all its members, regardless of housing status. It is necessary to choose empathy and evidence over punishment and stigma.
About the author
Claudine Sipili is Director of Lived Experience and Innovation at Destination: Home, and a Public Voices Fellow with The OpEd Project.