The stigma around homelessness is a grave issue that society often overlooks. As someone who has experienced homelessness on and off, I can tell you the reality is far more distressing than you might think. I have witnessed countless number of times the police imprisoning those of us without a roof over our heads, treating homelessness not as a crisis, but a crime. They discard our belongings as if they are worthless, leaving us bereft of warm clothes in the dead winter when we reenter society. Worse yet, there are not enough shelter beds to accommodate every homeless person in need.

Yet, homelessness continues to rise. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, over half a million people across the United States were homeless on any given night of 2019 (HUD, 2019). This is not an isolated issue but a dire humanitarian crisis.

It is cruel and unusual punishment to incarcerate people for their inability to secure housing. Not only does it strip people of their dignity, but it also prevents them from accessing shelter, support, and necessary resources to rebuild their lives. It's time we call for change.

We believe that everyone deserves shelter and safety. Let us unite in acknowledging homelessness as a crisis, not a crime, and urge local and national authorities to stop criminalizing homelessness, improve resources, and provide adequate shelter provisions.

Help us raise awareness about this pressing issue. Sign the petition and stand with us in solidarity for those experiencing homelessness.