Should Homeless Be Criminalized

“HOMELESSNESS… is neither a disease nor crime… but a very serious problem.” (Timothy Pina) Homelessness is a serious issue all around the US. People debate over it all the time. Homeless people should not be criminalized because they are already disadvantaged, many of them have a mental issue, and there are a lot of shelters available to help them. Homeless people are already at a huge disadvantaged. For example, since housing is so much some people can’t afford it, “ The average cost of housing one person in a 300-square foot studio apartment in Los Angeles is $468,000”(Hollman 1). With that type of payment for that small space to live in someone most likely need a good job. That means people need a college degree because they won't make that type of money working at McDonalds, with no degree. College can be expensive and if someone can't afford it they are not going to get a great education. For instance, if someone can’t afford housing there going to get evicted, “the most common cause of their …show more content…
Primarily, since it's horrible seeing people in need, “No one likes seeing sidewalk encampments. In our experience no one likes living in them either… In Los Angeles, there are enough shelter beds for less than one-third of homeless people”(Blasi & Mangans 1). Should that mean the other 2/3 get criminalized? No! Some people think homeless people should be criminalized which is so wrong. Since only 1/3 can fit they need more beds. For example, shelters are available, “The number of homeless children in public schools has doubled since before the recession, reaching a record national total of 1.36 million in the 2013-2014 school year”( Layton & Brown 1). Their should be a shelter for kids that need to go to school. Kids should not be forced to sleep outside in any weather condition then go to school the next day that is horrible. Their needs to be more shelters everywhere not just in large