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Dear John,
2020 has been a tough year—especially for our unhoused neighbors. People experiencing homelessness are particularly at risk of infection and death from COVID-19; they are also disproportionately Black, Indigenous, and people of color, often targeted by police[[link removed]] and private violence.
But despite the challenges, with your partnership and support, we have been able to:
Beat back[[link removed]] a draconian plan to criminalize people simply for being homeless—building on our landmark ruling[[link removed]] in Martin v. Boise. Develop policy recommendations[[link removed]]—many of which were adopted by the CDC—urging communities to cease sweeps and to place unsheltered people, and helped[[link removed]] partners actually use those guidelines[[link removed]] to get thousands of people into hotel rooms in communities around the country. Encouraged[[link removed]] presidential candidates to support the right to housing; five of whom incorporated it in their platforms, including the incoming president[[link removed]] and vice-president[[link removed]]. Get introduced a bill to amend the California constitution[[link removed]] to include housing as a human right—the first such bill in the country. Help homeless families and youth living on their own know and advocate for their rights and their children’s rights[[link removed]]—to education, health care, housing, and other critical resources. Favorably settle our litigation with the city of Montgomery to immediately stop arresting or ticketing people[[link removed]] who panhandle. Win in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, declaring two Florida statutes —which prohibit the individual solicitation of charitable contributions on Florida roadways—unconstitutional[[link removed]]. Grow our Housing Not Handcuffs[[link removed]] Network to over 2,000 organizations and individuals fighting against the criminalization of homelessness. Host a COVID-19 webinar series[[link removed]] reaching and supporting over 5,000 partners across the country. Change over 150 local ordinances to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are not criminalized and that the laws in place actually protect and serve them—meaning that thousands of people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness are one more step toward safe, stable, and permanent housing.
Though 2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult year, the work is needed more than ever. Please renew your support today[[link removed]] to continue the fight to secure the right to housing for all Americans.
Warmly,
Maria Foscarinis
Founder & Executive Director
[[link removed]]
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Address postal inquiries to:
National Homelessness Law Center (formerly the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty)
2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 210
Washington, DC 20036
