LANCASTER, Septiembre 14, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) and state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El (D-Lancaster) to host a joint policy hearing discuss homelessness and the housing crisis in Pennsylvania.

The hearing, held yesterday at the Lancaster City Hall, featured two panels of discussion highlighting the lived experiences of homeless individuals in Pennsylvania, and how the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling by the Supreme Court is emboldening local governments to arrest and punish people for being homeless and sleeping outside.

“Homelessness and our overall housing crisis are problems that needs to be addressed by all 67 counties – this is a dignity issue and not just a big city problem. No one wants to be homeless but those who are need our help – they do not need their existence to be criminalized,” Muth said. “Legislative leaders at all levels of government need to protect the human rights of all individuals and need to prioritize initiatives and legislation that addresses the underlying social and economic factors contributing to homelessness – insufficient wages, lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, and mental health.”

In a 6-3 decision in Junio in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the United States Supreme Court ruled that cities can enforce bans on people sleeping outside even when they have nowhere else to go. The Court argued such a ban does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment, thereby criminalizing sleeping in public areas. The Grants Pass decision permits localities to impose criminal penalties for acts such as public camping and public sleeping, even if individuals lack sufficient shelter space to accommodate the community’s unhoused population.

“When people lose their homes, they don’t expect to be homeless for decades—our system keeps them trapped. We need to fight against the criminalization of our neighbors who cannot afford homes. We need bold, effective policy responses that acknowledge our homes as essential material goods. We public spaces that are inclusive and accessible for all,” Saval said. “The people of Pennsylvania have signaled that our homes and our communities are top priorities. Our Commonwealth must do all in its power to work with advocates and organizers and legislate housing as a human right.”

Discussion at the hearing also focused on policy priorities in Pennsylvania that can address homelessness and enhance the accessibility and affordability of housing in the Commonwealth. Some suggestions included funding for eviction prevention programs and emergency temporary shelter, increasing funding for housing vouchers, increasing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, and increasing permanent housing options for low-income residents.

“The Supreme Court has effectively criminalized homelessness with its decision, City of Grants Pass, Oregon vs. Johnson,” Smith-Wade-El said. “SCOTUS has sanctioned the imprisonment of people for having been evicted from their homes, for being unable to find affordable housing, for being unable to find shelter because our homeless shelters are packed other vulnerable people. It would be cheaper to provide affordable housing in Pennsylvania, but instead, because of this decision, we will be spending our taxpayer money to incarcerate people instead of housing them. At its core, the decision makes it illegal to be poor and thousands, if not millions, will suffer because of this decision.“

Participants in the hearing included Dr. William A. Fife, Jr., MD, AAHIVS – Lancaster General Health Physician; Sterling K. Johnson and Wiley Cunningham, Organizers from Philadelphia Action Housing; Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director, National Homelessness Law Center; and Dr. Jennifer Frank, Associate Professor and BASW Coordinator, Millersville University.

State Rep. Perry Warren (D-Bucks), state Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester) and state Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery) also participated in the hearing.

For more information on this policy hearing and to access all submitted testimony and a full recording of today’s hearing, visit www.SenatorMuth.com/policy.

Testimonio

Panel 1: Lived Experience 

• Dr. William A. Fife, Jr., MD, AAHIVS - Médico de Lancaster General Health
• Sterling K. Johnson - Organizador, Philadelphia Action Housing
• Wiley Cunningham - Organizador, Philadelphia Action Housing (Para preguntas)

Mesa redonda 2: Soluciones políticas 

• Eric Tars - Director de Política, National Homelessness Law Center
• Dra. Jennifer Frank - Profesora Asociada y Coordinadora de BASW, Universidad de Millersville