online partners:

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION:

The National Coalition for the Homeless recommends that the following actions be taken:

  • A public statement by the U.S. Department of Justice acknowledging that hate crimes and/or violence against people experiencing homelessness is a serious national trend.
  • The Justice Department would issue guidelines for local police on how to investigate and work with people experiencing homelessness based on recommendations from the National Coalition for the Homeless. The Justice Department would recommend improvements to state law on how to better protect against violence directed against people experiencing homelessness, including tougher penalties.
  • A database to be maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, in cooperation with the National Coalition for the Homeless, to track hate crimes and/or violence against people experiencing homelessness.
  • Inclusion of housing status in the pending state and federal hate crimes legislation. Pending federal bill is the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2005 (H.R. 2662 in the U.S. House of Representatives; S.1145 in the U.S. Senate--109th Congress).
  • Awareness training at police academies and departments nationwide for trainees and police officers on how to deal effectively and humanely with people experiencing homelessness in their communities.
  • Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureaus (made up of homeless and formerly homeless people) become established in communities around the country. Speakers would visit both public and private schools in the community for the purposes of information and education.  For more help and technical assistance in establishing a Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau in your community, contact Michael O’Neill at:  Ph. (202) 462-4822 x20; Email: moneill@nationalhomeless.org, or visit http://www.nationalhomeless.org/faces
    • A U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study into the nature and scope of hate crimes and/or violent acts and crimes that occur against people experiencing homelessness. This proposed study will address the following:
    • Causes of hate crimes/violence.
    • Circumstances that contribute to or were responsible for the perpetrators’ behavior.
    • Beliefs held by the perpetrators of these crimes and how their beliefs have changed since conviction.
  • Thoughts and advice from the perpetrators to others who are considering hate crimes/violence against the homeless population.

  • Community education, prevention and law enforcement strategies.

full report | Acknowledgements | Introduction | Historical Summary | Summary of Hate Crimes/Violence Data for 2005 | Cities/Counties | States | Recommendations for Action | Model Legislative/Organizing/Public Education Efforts | Case Descriptions by Month and City in 2005 | The Link Between Violence and Criminalization | Video Exploitation of Homeless People | Organizational Endorsement | Sample Letter | US Representative John Conyers letter | List of Organizations | Back to Main Page