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    Commission on Homelessness & Poverty

    The Commission is committed to educating the bar and the public about homelessness and poverty and how the legal community and advocates can assist those in need.

    The Unique Role of Lawyers in Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness

    When you think of preventing youth homelessness, what typically comes to mind? Many people would not immediately think about lawyers or other legal professionals, yet their role in supporting youth at risk of homelessness is often critical. To highlight this often-overlooked aspect of prevention, the Commission on Homelessness and Poverty and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness collaborated on an article highlighting important legal and justice work in Canada, the United States, and internationally.

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    The Unique Role of Lawyers in Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness

    The American Bar Association’s Homeless Youth Legal Network is conducting a survey assessing the way in which the legal system interacts with #YouthHomelessness. The survey’s goal is to help identify promising practices within the legal system as well as service gaps to inform advocacy awareness-raising efforts. If you are involved in #YouthHomelessnessPrevention, or you serve youth experiencing homelessness, please fill out this survey and share it with your network.

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    Grants Pass v. Johnson

    Statement of ABA President Mary Smith

    CHICAGO, June 28, 2024 — Today the Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson holding that the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. While not directly addressing homelessness, this case could have practical implications for the homeless and unhoused populations permitting cities and states across the country to issue fines or impose jail time for violations of laws involving life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping in public spaces. With today’s ruling, it is even more critical for states and local communities to find constructive ways to address the root causes of homelessness and treat those affected with compassion and dignity. The ABA remains committed to finding solutions to homelessness by advocating for the revision of laws and policies to address the challenges that arise when the demand for shelter, housing and services exceeds supply. Instead of criminalizing homelessness, the ABA encourages city, state and local governments to support efforts to increase shelter, housing and services to adequately address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

    Resolution 607 Passes ABA House of Delegates

    On August 6, 2024, the ABA House of Delegates passed Resolution 607. CHP co-sponsored this resolution, which urges governmental entities to not broaden involuntary civil commitment standards to address unhoused people with mental health disabilities and to instead seek non-coercive forms of intervention and engagement.

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    How the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson affects people, states, and local governments

    On June 28, 2024, the US Supreme Court issued a decision in City of Grants Pass, OR v. Gloria Johnson, the most significant case on homelessness in over 40 years. Reversing over 10 years of lower court precedent in the 9th Circuit, and sidestepping a 62-year-old precedent, the Supreme Court ruled the 8th Amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause does not prevent municipalities from ticketing, fining, and otherwise criminalizing homeless persons even if no shelter is available. Join us for a discussion on the impact of the decision on unhoused people, and state and local governments, and become inspired by advocates for the unhoused and lawyers representing state and local governments as all parties look forward to advancing the societal and governmental response to unhoused individuals needing shelter and services.

    Combatting Poverty and Decriminalizing Homelessness Through A Race Equity Lens

    The Commission on Homelessness and Poverty's resource clearinghouse.

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    Racial Equity in the Justice System

    The ABA's central clearinghouse of ABA-related information and resources for attorneys, the legal profession and the public on a wealth of issues addressing bias, racism and prejudice in the justice system and society.

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    About Us

    Learn more about the Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, housed within the ABA Center for Public Interest Law.

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    Support the Commission's Work

    Your gift will educate the bar and the public about homelessness and poverty and how the legal community and advocates can assist those in need. Make your charitable gift to the ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty online today!

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    Join Us

    We welcome you to join us. Lawyers working in government or legal/public service not-for-profit organizations engaged primarily in legal- or policy-based advocacy for low income persons qualify for reduced dues as members of the American Bar Association.

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