Proposed Ordinance Mirrors a Growing National Trend of Punishing Unhoused People Rather Than Investing in Housing Solutions

Invisible People: Advocates are speaking out against a proposed ordinance in East Lansing, Michigan, that would criminalize certain acts associated with homelessness.

In December, East Lansing’s city council introduced an ordinance that would prohibit people experiencing homelessness from setting up temporary shelter in public spaces, more commonly known as an urban camping ban. The proposed ordinance would enact civil penalties of a $200 fine or 30 days in jail for violations.

The policy is part of the local police chief’s efforts to reduce violence in downtown East Lansing, The State News reported. However, it has thus far faced significant pushback from community members and advocates alike.

Civil Rights Groups Warn the Ordinance Could Violate Constitutional Protections

The ACLU of Michigan, the National Homelessness Law Center (NHLC), and the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness sent a letter to East Lansing’s political leadership on January 30, outlining their objections to the proposed ordinance. They argued that the city should reject the ordinance and invest in housing instead.

“Basic acts of survival should not be treated as crimes,” the advocates wrote in their 8-page letter. “There are a myriad of options for the city to employ that do not result in the criminalization of individuals experiencing homelessness for existing in public spaces. In fact, arresting people for merely sleeping outdoors is not permitted by the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions, and the repeated arrest and incarceration of the chronically homeless is both ineffective and costly.”

Read the full article on Advocates Thrash Attempt to Criminalize Homelessness in East Lansing