Right to Rest Act

CA's New Vagrancy Laws

• CA cities have 500 anti-homeless laws
• CA most anti-homeless laws in U.S.
• Cities use wide array of strategies to enforce laws
• Enforcement based on status, not behavior
• Laws harm vulnerable populations and society

Past responses to "Undesirable" groups

• Sundown Laws in 1800's - 1960's
• Quality of life laws - repealed in 1972 for being unconstitutionally vague

San Diego, CA

• In Jan. 2013, over 5,700 homeless in city, 8,800 in county
• 11 municipal codes
• Illegal Lodging
• Insufficient affordable housing options
• Trolley fares and public intoxication disproportionately represented by homeless
• As advocacy increases, so does the tactics of criminalizing homelessness through vague laws

Policy Recommendations

• Seek State level solution (SB 608)
• Improve data collection and reporting
• Align stakeholder incentives