From 2020 – 2022 six US states introduced bills that would make sleeping on public property a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and a month in jail. In 2021 Texas became the first state to pass a statewide law which banned public homeless encampments statewide and pulled state grant funds from non-compliant cities. Proponents of these laws argue that that leaving tens of thousands of Americans—often with severe mental illness or substance use problems—on the streets for decades until they can all be provided with permanent, supportive housing is not a viable or humane model. Opponents argue that the laws do not provide housing solutions and simply encourage homeless people to relocate to other states.
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@9FLK2D5Republican2yrs2Y
yes if they dont bother anyone
@96D597D3yrs3Y
only if the owners allow it
@9BB7PQD2yrs2Y
Yes, but if asked to move they should move
@96GMJ393yrs3Y
As long as they aren't dangerous
@93FBG6V3yrs3Y
Yes but in designated areas
@B7K2HXW4 days4D
If they really need a place to sleep then it's fine, but they cannot just continue to live in the spot forever.
If they refuse our help, that's on them! not us, so they can sleep on a bench in the rain for all I care.
@B56992N5mos5MO
I believe that there should be designated land for this idea, but not in public parks or people's property. Perhaps an area of land could work. Like create a camping destination for these homeless individuals.
@B4XY8GV6mos6MO
i feel they should be given an opportunity to earn money easier and use the police station or a p.o box as an address so they can earn money
@B4C44HW6mos6MO
If they refuse to, it should be criminal. If the shelter ran out of space, no it should not be criminal.
@9WHDZNY12mos12MO
yes, they should get help if they need it but if they are just refusing help or taking advantage of the help then leave them be.
Another complicated question is present. There are multiple scenarios in which the homeless are choosing the lesser of two evils. On the other hand it can end up in public areas looking less clean and healthy/save for others.
@9W3SN5J12mos12MO
no, don't make it criminal, just make them move, they will have to have expicitly denied the shelter or housing and if the reason is health/safety related then you can't remove them
@9W3P35312mos12MO
no, but they should should provide programs that help them progressively, so then they can own/rent property
@9W3JHCQ12mos12MO
yes, as long as it's in a secluded space where no one really walks or really see much. because at that point it would make the city or state look bad or poor and could be bad for businesses.
@9VS74ZQ12mos12MO
Depends on how long their there, because some business climates people really don't feel comfortable with homeless people around and that understandable, but make it where they cant live there but provide shelter, food etc until the next day then they could leave before the morning.
@9VRY4VR12mos12MO
No, if they are refusing help then they can sleep in more private places, like old abandoned places.
@9VLBRQFLibertarian1yr1Y
I think people should be able to sleep or live without fear of being arrested. But I also think if they refuse available shelter or housing, they shouldn't sleep on private properties or extremely public places.
This depends on if the shelter or housing option given to the homeless indiviual was in a place that is safe for them. Due to many shelters not having enough space I think social program can be very helpful.
@9VDMHQQ1yr1Y
If a homeless person is denying housing, it's because the housing is not adequate. Homeless shelters and laws surrounding human rights for homeless people.
@9TMCQ881yr1Y
if they have refused shelter and or housing then they obviously dont want a place to live or to better themselves so why allow homeless individuals to use public places as their house.
@9SJLSZQ1yr1Y
I think that they should be able to sleep on public property as long as they aren't causing any harm to anyone. but they need to help themselves
@9SGQV851yr1Y
No they should not. If they have refused to live in a housing for them or available shelter and decide to sleep outside in public then they should be fined because it costs money to keep these homeless shelters and housing places open and they refused to take available help.
Deleted1yr1Y
No, but it should not be a criminal offense and the US should do more to reintegrate homeless individuals into society (i.e. skill-building services, expansion of Job Corps, etc.)
@9N83JSX1yr1Y
No, but create designated areas for them to stay as well as assistance from therapists, food banks, etc.
@9M4YHF41yr1Y
No, and provide counseling for those who feel like living in homelessness is okay and provide them refuge
@9LKC3XCRepublican1yr1Y
If they Dont want to go to a camp because they think they could get harmed the they should be able to stay in public properties
@9LHYZ851yr1Y
Public property is public to everyone, if we prohibit access to one group of people, then it is no longer public
@9LB9VZ22yrs2Y
Occupying public space in accordance with local and state law should not be criminalized, but homeless individuals should be required to accept shelter and/or housing as it becomes available.
@9L8CSFV2yrs2Y
yes because there could have been an issue with the housing that would have made it more safe to be on public property then there
@9KBM33P2yrs2Y
Regardless, we should have more policies in place to keep people from going homeless or bankrupt and make it easier to recover from being homeless.
@9K5VWDV2yrs2Y
Sleeping in places that are public and not burdening the public should be allowed for a homeless individual
@9JGS8FP2yrs2Y
If they refuse help, then no. But if a homeless person has nowhere to go, then they should be allowed to sleep on public property.
@9J3ZHK62yrs2Y
Unfortunately the US needs to bring back mental health facilities for people who refuse current help and insist on living in a tent or on the streets.
@9FNCNC92yrs2Y
No, but there should be more social programs in place to provide necessities and available training for employment
@9FMY4RG2yrs2Y
No, whatever they do is their choice, some don't want to be at shelters for a reason so what's wrong with sleeping on a bench somewhere.
@9FMSV2BProgressive2yrs2Y
Its PUBLIC, who cares what you do- It's more of a social thing. Just don't be in the way of everyone if you're actively choosing to not accept the free services provided.
@9FLVLW32yrs2Y
I think that it depends on where it is. If homeless people are sleeping on public property that doesn't harm any individual or business then there is no harm on them sleeping there throughout the night.
@9FLSRNK2yrs2Y
Yes, and it depends on the place
@9FLRMMG2yrs2Y
- depends on public property owner
@9FLMFLGRepublican2yrs2Y
if they refuse shelter it might just be because they are embarrassed or comfortable where they are and who their with
@9FLM7QZ2yrs2Y
im 50/50, yes they should, but also it could make buisnesses look bad, they should thoigh have areas to sleep on in areas that arent business related, like parks.
@9FLLXGJ2yrs2Y
Yes, but not for people who have committed heinous crimes such as domestic abuse.
@9FLLCHY2yrs2Y
depends on the public place. What would be done if they are found there?
@9FLKFFB2yrs2Y
@9FLG28W2yrs2Y
No, if they refuse the offer to go in a shelter that is their fault and problem now.
@9FHJ7962yrs2Y
I think that is a problem. Dont arrest them but maybe something like a ticket because they openly refuse any help and chose to stay on the streets.
@9DK3PG32yrs2Y
No, the police should be called and the person should spend the night in jail.
@9DK2ZBDRepublican2yrs2Y
Yes as long as they aren't anywhere children go to like schools and parks.
@9DH3GZZRepublican2yrs2Y
No, there was a reason why they are homeless, they can easily get a job and live in their vehicle until the can afford a house. I had to do that for a little while when I was younger.
@9D76YBB2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if they respect the area they are staying in.
@9D4B6322yrs2Y
As long as it has been an offer for over 2 or mo
@9BL5Z822yrs2Y
The homeless should not be allowed to sleep or encamp on public property unless there is no other option.
@9BLDJX92yrs2Y
No but there should be more places and help for those who are homeless
@99Y2MN6Republican3yrs3Y
no because they are refusing to have a place to say instead of the streets.
@99S45DY3yrs3Y
Yes unless they're taking up to much space. Or causing a problem.
@96Z2F2P3yrs3Y
As long as said homeless person is not creating a disturbance or bothering people he should be fine.
@96PHVVP3yrs3Y
No, if they refuse shelter and housing as well as help they should not be allowed to sleep on public property
@96LNV533yrs3Y
Yes, but not for extended periods of time.
@96LC2LRRepublican3yrs3Y
It shouldn't be a criminal offense but it should be heavily discouraged
@96LBDZM3yrs3Y
It depends on the property in question, if it's a park, sure; if it's a national monument or building of importance, than no.
@96KGTPZLibertarian3yrs3Y
No, but create spaces where they can sleep in public to prevent disorder
@96JZQKM3yrs3Y
Only with permission from the owner
@96GXMJJ3yrs3Y
Maybe if they're not bothering anyone, but they still should take the opportunity to stay in an available shelter.
No because if they are given shelter and housing and refuse, they shouldn't be able to when we just offered a home for them. Can't beg or complain about money or about being homeless but then refuse being given shelter for free.
@96FVQ2P3yrs3Y
I dont agree or disagree but i think even if they refuse they need to move and get the help they need and see where they can go or stay
@96FGK3F3yrs3Y
Only if they are allowed by the people that own that public property
@96FG4SQ3yrs3Y
@96FDW423yrs3Y
they should be able to sleep there if it is okay with the owner ad if they treat all the people on that property with respect
@96F7RZG3yrs3Y
only if they are not a disturbance to the public
@96F5D3R3yrs3Y
i think i should be like there is one place in every state where homeless people should go its nothing cry just a building with beds and showers and they offer you a week worth of nice clothes and there is washers and dryers and you have to try and get a job every month like you have to atleast try to like say some homeless guy just lives there and doesnt try to get a job then he will kicked out and to not get caught be the police and if he does he goes to jail for a month
@96F54PY3yrs3Y
no, but if its to where its harming or causing an issue then yes.
@96DGMLZ3yrs3Y
yes because some of the Homeless shelters are really bad and they do not care for there well being
@96DGF5V3yrs3Y
Well, I don't want them to sleep in public areas but I want them to have place to stay for the night.
@96DG5T33yrs3Y
No, they refused help and should not be allowed
@96C94WF3yrs3Y
I believe that if they didn't except opportunities given, then they shouldn't use public property unless absolutely necessary.
@969SBS53yrs3Y
Better help programs to refuse less
@95ZPC933yrs3Y
public property is for the public and if thats what they choose to do after refusing housing from somewhere they probably have a good reason or why they did so, so as long as they aint causin trouble i dont see a problem
@95Z6MN33yrs3Y
Do they have a job? If so they should be allowed if not they should work.
@95NDZ7B3yrs3Y
i think we shouldn't let them camp on public grounds instead we should make more shelters or have them try to get jobs and give them more opportunities to get jobs.
yes and no because maybe they have a reason but at the same time its better then being outside and not safe.
@95MW9PK3yrs3Y
Homeless should be provided a shower and clean, nice clothes and required to attend a job interview. They should get a job and start providing for themselves. Children should stay/be cared for in shelters while parents are working. If homeless are allowed to sleep on streets, then they should be held accountable for keeping it clean.
@95MVQSC3yrs3Y
Only if they do not ruin property value and do not disturb other people and also limit the amount of homeless people that will live there
yes if its out of the way of where people go. like in a sidewalk or a street.
@95MQMGF3yrs3Y
no, but we should increase the amount of free sheltering
@95MQJR63yrs3Y
No, and make it a strike count of 2 so that if they do it twice they are forced to go to a shelter they provide free food, clothing, medicine, and help finding a job/forever home
It depends if the person has littered on the area or any type of small crime like that, if they are being respectful to the property then they should be allowed to.
@95LX46J3yrs3Y
@95LS98Z3yrs3Y
if they don't disturb the public and ruin the environment around them. Then they should be allowed to
@959DQ8G3yrs3Y
No, they should not be in highly trafficked areas, however more needs to be done to support them.
@944PBPN3yrs3Y
No, but create more social programs to provide food, clothing, medicine, housing, mental health care, and safe injection sites and drug rehabilitation programs.
@943Q9CV3yrs3Y
Yes, as long as they clean up after themselves and do not leave trash everywhere.
@93RNPPGIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes, and I think that not having a place of residence should NOT be cause for a job to not hire someone. Not having a physical address is a personal, not business concern.
@93KF9Z73yrs3Y
I think as long as their not doing any harm or making a disturbance then it’s fine
@92XKY3YLibertarian3yrs3Y
No camping but sleeping is fine but at their own risk
yes, they might not be able to afford or feel like they owe you back
They should not be on public property. They should clear out a part of the woods or wild the government should have trailers or rv's for people that can not afford that is if the government really cared.
@928JKMXIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes, but support them with job opportunites
@AndyMaidment4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as they do not harass other citizens who use that property.
@926JLPQ4yrs4Y
no, I would understand if they really had nowhere to go but they are refusing to live better so it shouldn't be public property problem.
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