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Hello Law Center supporters, 

 
Our work to expose the billionaire behind the increase in laws that make it a crime to sleep outside is working. The New York Times[[link removed]], Washington Post[[link removed]], and Mother Jones[[link removed]] have all published articles detailing how Cicero and Joe Lonsdale –
its billionaire co-founder – have influenced homelessness policy from the local level all the way up to the federal government. And Sludge[[link removed]] reported on  how Cicero is using their influence in the federal government to get even richer by lobbying on behalf of defense contractors. 

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While Cicero has largely flown under the radar, this reporting helps us ensure that their cruelty will no longer go unnoticed. Make sure to read the articles and share them with your networks to help us expose Cicero!  
 
Federal judge strikes down Trump's homelessness funding scheme, but the fight continues
 
A federal judge ruled for the third time that the Trump administration's ideologically driven funding changes to vital homelessness programs are unlawful. This ruling halted Trump’s most recent attacks on homelessness programs, which would have forced evicted nearly 100,000 people from their stable housing. As Antonia Fasanelli, the Law Center’s Executive Director, said, "Today's victory, which comes amidst coordinated attacks on our homeless neighbors, strengthens our resolve to ensure that everybody has the housing, care, and support they
need to flourish." 
 
Read our statement[[link removed]] and our coalition’s statement[[link removed]]. 
 
Unfortunately, HUD has chosen to appeal the decision. While their first appeal was rejected, their second appeal is now pending. Please follow along for additional updates as we have them.  

 
The Law Center joins members of Congress to introduce the No Homeless Detention Centers Act
 
Last week, the Law Center stood with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to introduce the No Homeless Detention Centers Act, legislation to stop federal dollars from being spent on forcing homeless people into camps or other detention-like facilities or promoting forced labor for homeless people. The bill was endorsed by nearly 40 organizations around the country and co-sponsored by nineteen members of Congress.  
 
As Eric Tars, the Law Center's Senior Policy Director, said, "We are here today, because it is necessary to fight back against the Trump Administration that is aggressively erasing decades of data-based progress on solving homelessness and instead promoting jails, labor camps, warehouses, and asylums, not because there is any evidence to support them, but because the right-wing Cicero Institute is spoon-feeding Trump detention policies that will enrich its billionaire-backers financially – and benefit him politically."  
 
Watch the livestream recording[[link removed]] and read the press statement[[link removed]].  
 
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One year since Trump's DC takeover
 
On August 11, 2025, Trump began his ongoing takeover of Washington, DC, sending in National Guard troops and federal agents to patrol DC’s streets. From the very beginning, Trump made it clear that attacks on homeless Washingtonians would be central to this takeover. One year later, these attacks have made solving homelessness harder, making DC less safe, and forced us all to pay the price.
 
Read our full statement[[link removed]], in partnership with Miriam’s Kitchen and the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.  
 
Op-ed breaks down impacts of Trump's anti-homeless Executive Order, one year later
 
Jesse Rabinowitz, the Law Center’s Campaign and Communications Director, published an op-ed in The Root about the one-year anniversary of Trump’s anti-homeless EO. The op-ed focuses on how the EO how it became a blueprint for the Trump administration’s far-reaching and disastrous changes to homelessness policy, from the DC takeover to funding cuts and backwards programs at federal agencies. It also explains how Trump’s attacks on homeless people are part of his administration’s broader authoritarian agenda.
 
Read the op-ed in The Root[[link removed]].  
 
Webinar on Trump's EO brings together advocates from across the country
 
More than 400 people from across the country attended our webinar marking the one-year anniversary of Trump’s EO. On the webinar, we heard from advocates in DC, Utah, and Louisiana; national experts in homelessness, drug policy, and mental health; and members of Congress leading the fight against Trump's anti-homeless policies.
 
Watch the webinar recording[[link removed]].
 
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 We're hiring! Join the Law Center team
 
Are you an attorney committed to advancing systemic change through litigation, advocacy, and movement building (or do you know someone who is)? The Law Center is looking for a Civil Rights Director to lead our work to end the criminalization of homelessness and advance the rights of people experiencing homelessness.
 
Learn more about the position and how you can apply[[link removed]]!
 
Join us for the Human Right to Housing Awards! 
 
It's been a difficult year in the movement to end homelessness, but we know that joy and community is essential to sustaining ourselves and our shared work to solve homelessness. Join us this years for our Human Right to Housing Awards, happening on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to celebrate change-makers from across the country who have advanced housing justice. Tickets are free, and we hope you will join us in celebrating this year's remarkable honorees. 
 
Register now[[link removed]] and visit the Awards page[[link removed]] to find all up-to-date information.
 
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Good news:
 
Athens, Georgia[[link removed]]: Residents mobilized to defeat a last-minute camping ban proposal, with dozens packing City Hall to speak up for the rights of homeless neighbors! As one community leader said, “This doesn’t solve the underlying problem, it shifts it, and each shift makes the person harder to reach.” 
 
Pendelton, Oregon[[link removed]]: The city repealed their camping ban ordinance after a lawsuit brought by our partners at the Oregon Law Center!
 
Los Angeles, California[[link removed]]: In response to years of organizing, councilmembers voted to remove anti-camping measures across multiple city neighborhoods. As one councilmember put it, “ Displacing our neighbors from block to block, or in many cases from district to district, doesn’t help them find housing.”  
 
September reading list:
 
CBS News, Trump policy clears way for civil commitment of homeless in some states[[link removed]] 
 
DC News Now, MLK Library steps up enforcement prohibiting people from sleeping outside overnight[[link removed]]  
 
Verite News, Homeless New Orleanians swelter amid scorching heat wave[[link removed]]  

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Onward,
 
The National Homelessness Law Center
 
Donate to fuel our work.[[link removed]]

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