It is not illegal to be poor. It is not illegal to be homeless. Those living in poverty and are homeless are trying to figure out where their next meal is coming from, dealing with stigma, and unfortunately laws and policies are making their situation even more difficult.

A report (https://www.nlchp.org/documents/No_Safe_Place from the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty that surveyed 187 cities in 2014 found that 53% of cities criminalize sitting or lying down in public places, 43% ban lying in a car, and 9% make it illegal to share food with homeless people. If a person that is homeless receives food from a stranger, asks a stranger for assistance, or lays down under a tree to try to sleep that person is committing a crime. If a police officer issues a citation, or arrests that homeless person then that person now has to pay court fees and ticket costs. It is safe to say, that individual does not have the resources or money to navigate their way though the court systems. Those policies are perpetuating poverty, instead of assisting those who are in need.

An article in the "Huffington Post" describes a man, William Burnett who sleeps on the subway in New York City due to the gang activity that occurs in the homeless shelters that accept single men. He was being extorted for money that he did not have. That is when New York City's Police Commissioner announced that he will not tolerate homeless sleeping on the subway, especially during the winter months. The Metropolitan Transit Authority prohibits taking up more than one seat, or laying down. 

Changes need to made. Progression need to occur. It is cruel to instate policies and laws that perpetuate poverty, and criminalizes homelessness. Please sign this petition to at the very least least, lesson pan handling, sleeping outside, and loitering laws.