UPDATE: Rhode Island lawmakers have PASSED the first ever anti-discrimination Homeless Bill of Rights as a result of this initiative.
THE INJUSTICE:
* Vulnerable citizens living in nursing homes are legally protected from verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse.
* Vulnerable citizens living in mental health facilities are legally protected from verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse.
* The same vulnerable citizens living in homeless shelters ARE NOT legally protected from verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse.
Tell President Obama that a National Homeless Bill of Rights is needed now to protect the 7.5 million unemployed professionals, middle-class families displaced by foreclosure, underemployed low-wage workers, and disabled veterans who are currently or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness.
EVIDENCE: Our 7-month critical study of the Rhode Island shelter system revealed a verbally, mentally, and emotionally abusive service culture.
Fair treatment with dignity and respect is a documented and legislated human and civil right outside of the shelter system. People experiencing homelessness need these same protections.
Read the full 25-point National Homeless Bill of Rights
Sign and Share the Petition Now!
