Action 6: Improve Outcomes for People Experiencing Homelessness including Steps to Decriminalize Homelessness and Connect with Systems
Objective
Reduce arrests and hospitalizations and increase shelter diversion, support services, employment, and permanent housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness,
Complementary Actions
- Strengthen Municipal Workforce Capacity to Address Homelessness
- Participate in Equity Training
What to do
Step 1
Conduct audited review and revision of local ordinances, police policies, calls and arrests to evaluate for criminalization of homelessness and violations of civil rights protections. Write how you are going to respond to what you found.
Submit: Copy of audited review.
Timeframe for Credit
Engaging Partners
Sustainable CT encourages regional collaboration and other forms of partnership. For every action, please complete the “Partners” box in your submission, indicating the name(s) of any municipalities and/or organizations you partnered with (if any) and a brief description of your municipality’s role. For additional information, please see the “Partners Guidance Document”.
Potential Municipal and Community Collaborators
Key collaborators to implement this action include police and EMS, hospitals,
Funding
Resources
Toolkits, Calculators, Guidance Documents
- HUD Exchange – Decriminalizing Homelessness
- Housing Not Handcuffs from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
Organizations and Relevant Programs
- Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- US Housing and Urban Development
- US Interagency Council on Homelessness
Benefits
Decriminalizing homelessness and creating stronger integration with systems including healthcare and criminal justice reduces costs incurred and contributes to the economic well-being of the municipality. It also mitigates the likelihood of civil rights lawsuits brought against the municipality.