Navigating the Constant Displacement
The harsh reality of anti-homelessness laws weighs heavily on unsheltered individuals across the United States. These measures, aimed at removing visible signs of homelessness from public spaces, have had a devastating impact on those they target – stripping away basic human dignity and pushing already vulnerable populations further into the margins of society.
As a seasoned expert in water and sanitation services, community engagement, and advocacy, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound toll these laws take on individuals struggling to survive on the streets. In this in-depth article, we’ll explore the personal stories and lived experiences of those grappling with the relentless cycle of displacement, the tangible losses they endure, and the deep sense of isolation and disconnection they feel from the very communities they once called home.
The Criminalization of Homelessness
The rise of anti-homelessness laws in the United States can be traced back to the 1980s, when a confluence of economic, social, and political factors led to a dramatic increase in the number of people living without stable housing. As homelessness became more visible, cities sought to address the “problem” through a punitive approach, enacting a raft of measures designed to push unhoused individuals out of public spaces.
These laws, which range from bans on camping and loitering to restrictions on panhandling and the destruction of personal property, effectively criminalize the very act of being homeless. They strip individuals of their basic rights and dignity, transforming essential everyday activities like sleeping, resting, or seeking sustenance into criminal offenses.
“Public space is the space of justice,” as scholar Don Mitchell (2003) eloquently stated. Yet, for those experiencing homelessness, this right to public space is often denied, forcing them to exist in the margins of society, constantly on the move and denied the stability and sense of belonging that many of us take for granted.
The Toll of Constant Displacement
The impact of these anti-homelessness laws on unsheltered individuals is both tangible and existential. Through our interviews with 18 people experiencing homelessness in Fort Worth, Texas, we’ve gained a powerful glimpse into the daily struggles they face.
One of the most profound consequences is the constant disruption and displacement caused by these laws. Many of our participants reported having to move their encampments on a near-monthly basis, sometimes with just a few hours’ notice, as code enforcement officers swept through their makeshift homes.
“It’s a never-ending struggle,” lamented Victor, who has lived in a large, self-constructed tent for years. “Here it is, you caught up with someone who’s already been told, and then you move there and set up. And then you’re the one who get victimized because they come take your stuff.”
This relentless cycle of relocation takes a heavy emotional toll, leaving our participants feeling exhausted, demoralized, and disconnected from the very city they once called home. As Renee, a 65-year-old woman, shared through tears, “It’s been very frustrating when you find a place, and you set up your tent, and everything is going fine, and someone comes and says you have to leave. I move with friends from place, to place, to place, and it’s just very unsettling.”
The Loss of Personal Possessions
Beyond the emotional upheaval, the constant displacement also results in the tangible loss of personal belongings – a devastating blow for those with limited means. Many of our participants reported losing essential items such as identification documents, medication, and cherished personal mementos when their camps were abruptly cleared.
“I lost everything that time,” Dee recounted. “Tent, clothes, phone, radio, IDs, birth certificate, jail paperwork to get benefits… I haven’t gotten the documents replaced yet. I try not to keep valuable things anymore.”
The loss of these critical items can have far-reaching consequences, hindering individuals’ ability to access vital services, secure employment, and ultimately, break the cycle of homelessness. As one participant, Melissa, explained, “You don’t know where to go because you don’t know where they are hitting next… I think of places I’ve stayed before and try to go there.”
Disconnection and Isolation
Underlying the physical and material challenges faced by our participants is a deep sense of disconnection and isolation from the broader community. Many expressed a feeling that they no longer belong anywhere in the city, as public spaces are increasingly closed off to them and private property owners actively work to keep them away.
“The situation nowadays, they don’t want us anywhere,” Renee lamented. This sentiment was echoed by Dee, who shared his frustration: “Some of the neighbors don’t want us around. We’re not made for society, so society pushes us off, further and further out of the city…”
This perceived rejection and ostracization only serves to further entrench the divide between the unsheltered and the wider community, undermining efforts to address homelessness and denying individuals the fundamental sense of belonging and social connection that is so vital to human well-being.
A Futile Dance of Displacement
Ultimately, the enforcement of these anti-homelessness laws appears to be a futile exercise, perpetuating a vicious cycle of displacement without addressing the root causes of homelessness. As our participants described, code enforcement officers are often caught in the same endless dance, repeatedly moving individuals from one location to the next, with little meaningful impact.
“Iâm tired of this. Iâve been told to move in the last 3 years probably 8 or 9 times,” lamented Rob. “You just try to find another place. Ironically, you go from one place to a place that people have just been kicked out of before. It sits idle for about 2-3 months at the most and then you move in, and it starts over.”
This frustrating dynamic underscores the need for a more compassionate, service-oriented approach to homelessness – one that prioritizes addressing the structural drivers of housing insecurity and providing individuals with the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives.
Conclusion: Toward a More Humane Approach
The stories shared by our participants paint a harrowing picture of the human toll of anti-homelessness laws. Far from improving public order or reducing homelessness, these punitive measures have only served to deepen the marginalization and suffering of those they target, stripping away their dignity, destroying their personal belongings, and severing their connections to the communities they once knew.
As we move forward, it is clear that a more compassionate, holistic, and rights-based approach to addressing homelessness is urgently needed. This must involve investments in affordable housing, wrap-around support services, and community-based solutions that empower unhoused individuals to regain their footing and reintegrate into society with dignity.
“Where are people supposed to go?” Rob asked pointedly. “Do you want them going too far away? They like to come around here because they know they can get something to eat. They gotta eat.”
By listening to the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by homelessness, we can begin to chart a path forward that upholds the basic human rights and fundamental needs of all members of our communities – housed and unhoused alike. It is time to abandon the failed strategies of the past and embrace a new, more humane vision for addressing this profound societal challenge.
To learn more about Joint Action for Water’s work on water, sanitation, and community engagement, please visit https://jointactionforwater.org/.
