The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Let’s end the criminalization of homelessness

by Opinion • August 15, 2013

By Palmdale resident Arlet Olivares

HomelessnessLast night in California, 160,000 homeless people spent their night on the streets, according to Housing Urban Development (HUD). 13% of those individuals were children (HUD, 2013).

Twenty percent of the entire homeless population in the United States lives in California, according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), making it the state with the largest homeless population in the country.

Unfortunately, the state of homelessness will always be a social and economical issue that cannot be easily diminished.

However, Tom Ammiano in D-San Francisco proposed the AB 5 Homeless Bill of Rights and Fairness Act on December 12, 2012. The bill may eliminate criminalization for people sleeping, panhandling and salvaging recyclables.

They will also have the right to lawful self-employment, which may increase the chances of breaking the cycle of homelessness.

With the AB 5 bill, the homeless families may live healthier lifestyles with shelter and money and may also be cost-efficient because the need for homeless assistance programs may decrease, ultimately saving taxpayers $2.9 billion that is already used to incarcerate the homeless in California (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2013).

Helping rather [than] constantly ticketing the homeless is cheaper and not to mention is a moral standard for the human people to help our fellow neighbors.

Helping pass the AB 5 Homeless Bill of Rights can make a difference and help those that do not have a voice. For more information about the AB 5 bill, please visit:

http://www.govtrack.us/states/ca/bills/2013/ab5

Arlet Olivares, of Palmdale, is completing a master of social work degree at the University of Southern California. 

–

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The AV Times.

Email letters@theavtimes.com to submit a story to Your Issues | Your News.

Filed Under: Opinion

1 comment for "Let’s end the criminalization of homelessness"

  1. Otis says

    August 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    The real cost of putting band-aids on the problem of homelessness…”Million Dollar Murray” remembered:

    http://homelessalliance.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/milliondollarmurray.pdf

Recent Comments

  • BAE SYTEMS on Antelope Valley Hospital administering COVID-19 vaccines to frontline workers: “of course money and political personnel always get away with everything age and priority doesn’t count for them” Jan 15, 21:47
  • Beecee on New report finds coronavirus reduced life expectancy for Blacks and Latinos: “Dave’s already tying one on, And it was only a touch after 5. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere huh buddy” Jan 15, 20:46
  • Beecee on Lancaster man killed in crash involving big rig: “Another unfortunate covid death” Jan 15, 20:43
  • Tim Scott on Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy reported being at Capitol on day of insurrection: “Well, in the long history of crimes committed by LACSD deputies sedition would be new, but hardly surprising.” Jan 15, 19:44
  • UK Strain on Rising case numbers raise potential for Additional LA County business closures: “Barbara Ferrer should be appointed Surgeon General of the US.” Jan 15, 18:59

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use