Rhode Island Governor to Speak on Historic Homeless Bill of Rights Today

New law bucks national trend toward criminalizing homelessness

Press Type: Press Release   Associated Program: Civil Rights

Released: 06/2012

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Today, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee will join advocates to celebrate the nation's first "Homeless Bill of Rights" at 1:30 in front of the State House.  The new law stands in stark contrast to the trend toward criminalizing homelessness in communities across the country.

John Joyce, co-founder of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project (RIHAP) and co-author of the bill found it hard to put into words the satisfaction of seeing the bill pass. "Unbelievable," said Joyce. "On the one hand, it is a shame that we need a law like this to stop bigotry and discrimination, but on the other hand, it is wonderful that Rhode Island passed this law and took a stand against such discrimination."

The Rhode Island law is a counterpoint to a disturbing national trend.  A recent report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, Criminalizing Crisis, found that, despite a lack of affordable housing and shelter space, cities across the country are essentially making it illegal to be homeless with laws that outlaw life-sustaining acts, such as eating and sleeping, in public spaces.

"Rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness, many cities are instead passing laws that violate homeless persons civil rights and make it harder for them to secure employment, shelter, and benefits," said Heather Maria Johnson, civil rights attorney at the Law Center.  "Rhode Island's Homeless Bill of Rights stands in complete contrast to this trend.  We're encouraged to see Rhode Island become the first state in the country to take this proactive step to protect homeless persons' rights."

The Rhode Island law asserts that Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness have the right to use public parks, public transportation, and public buildings in the same manner as any other person and without discrimination on the basis of his or her housing status.

Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr  (D-District 22, North Smithfield, Smithfield) sponsored and championed the bill in the Rhode Island Senate. "It is very gratifying that the Homeless Bill of Rights has been enacted into law, " said Senator Tassoni. "Rhode Island leads the nation in taking this important step to reinforce [the idea] that just because an individual or a family may temporarily be without a home, that doesn't mean they should be without the same rights enjoyed by all Americans. Unfortunately, in far too many cases the homeless have been treated like second-class citizens. I want to thank the Coalition for the Homeless and John Joyce from the RI Homeless Advocacy Project for their leadership on this important issue."

"The fact that so many of our citizens are homeless is unconscionable," said Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-District 2, Providence).  "That homeless men, women, and children are often not treated with dignity and respect makes their plight even worse. We can't ignore it. We have to fix it and until it is fixed we have to ensure that they are treated with basic human compassion and understanding."

The Homeless Bill of Rights is an important foundation for Opening Doors Rhode Island, the state's plan to end homelessness, which states as a core value that "there are no 'homeless people,' but rather people who have lost their homes who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

Opening Doors Rhode Island outlines a plan that significantly transforms the provision of services to Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness. Consistent with the new federal plan to end homelessness, the plan seeks to sharply decrease the numbers of people experiencing homelessness and the length of time people spend homeless.

"The path to ending homelessness starts with treating those experiencing homelessness with basic dignity and respect, plain and simple," exclaimed Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.

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The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is a leader in the movement to end and prevent homelessness. It works to achieve its goals through advocacy, public education, and impact litigation.

www.nlchp.org