No one chooses the sidewalk as a bed unless they have no other choice. But instead of offering more safe places to sleep, Houston’s new policy bans unsheltered people from lying down or resting on sidewalks downtown and in the East End — at any hour, day or night.

Mayor John Whitmire says this is about fixing homelessness. But pushing people out of sight doesn’t fix the problem — it just moves it. This policy doesn’t guarantee shelter, housing, or safety. It risks turning survival into a crime.

Yes, the city has promised more outreach. But what happens when there aren’t enough beds? What happens to people with disabilities, trauma, or fear of shelters? The sidewalk is not a solution — but neither is a citation, a fine, or jail.

We believe Houston can be a national model — but that starts with compassion, not criminalization.

We call on Mayor Whitmire and the City Council to suspend enforcement of this ban and invest fully in proven, housing-first strategies. Don’t punish people for being unhoused. Help them find a way home.