Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Neighbors,

We are horrified by the brutal and unprovoked attacks against our unstably housed neighbors in New York in recent years. Research clearly demonstrates that people experiencing homelessness are much more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than to commit one. These attacks are part of a disturbing and increasing national trend of violence directed at  people experiencing homelessness. In the last 25 years, there have been 73 documented offenses in New York that could be classified as hate crimes if that protection existed in the state.

We know that the long-term solution to violence is to shift public discourse to affirm the dignity, worth, and humanity of our neighbors experiencing homelessness while also increasing access and resources for a robust social safety net. While we advocate for housing solutions and access to wraparound supportive services, we must also work to destigmatize poverty and homelessness and affirm the fundamental human rights of people experiencing homelessness.

The Homeless Protection Act (A.2191A/S.6081B), introduced by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Luis Sepúlveda, would expand New York laws to include homelessness as a protected class– meaning that an attack against a person experiencing homelessness could be treated as a hate crime. If the State Legislature were to pass this legislation, New York would join a list of states and localities including Florida, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington, D.C. to hold this protection.

We believe this legislation would have the following effect:

• Increase protection for people experiencing homelessness who are targeted because of their housing status.
• Create a stronger mechanism for reporting and documenting attacks against people experiencing homelessness to get a clearer picture of the extent of the issue.
• Most notably, it would combat the stigmatization of people experiencing homelessness.

The urgency of this moment is clear. We ask that you or your organization join us and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal in supporting the Homeless Protection Act. This crisis demands action, and we believe that this legislation will be an important component in helping us address the issue of senseless violence directed at people experiencing homelessness in New York simply because of perceived bias and stigma.

Please send any questions to advocacy@urbanpathways.org or policy@cfhnyc.org.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Care For the Homeless and Urban Pathways Consumer Advocates