Faith leaders say proposed law would criminalize homelessness

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Faith leaders are speaking out against a proposed law that they say would criminalize homelessness in North Carolina.

“Safety and compassion are not competing values. We can protect our communities without turning our backs on our neighbors.”Thomas Farrow, Pastor at Reeder Memorial Baptist Church said.

House Bill 437 would would bar municipalities from allowing public camping or sleeping on public property, including parks and sidewalks. Senator Ted Alexander says this bill is a tool to improve public safety.

“When the actions that they’re doing become deleterious to the health and human safety of the other public, that becomes a problem,” Republican Senator W. Ted Alexander representing District 44 said. “If you see human waste and all kinds of other stuff that goes along with this, sometimes right there in front of you.”

Senator Alexander acknowledges there’s work to do to fix the problem permanently, but says there are negative outcomes when people sleep on the streets.

“It’s not good for the public, it’s not good for the businesses, and it’s certainly not good for the people who are on the sidewalks and in the encampments and things,” Senator Alexander said. “I think this is a part of a bigger picture.”

Faith leaders want to see North Carolina lawmakers focus on affordable housing, livable wages and mental health to address the increase in homelessness.

“We are saying that it can be done in a better way and that we are all responsible for the conditions and for coming up with a solution,” Reverend Jordan Boyd from Rockwell AME Zion Church said.

This bill also creates drug free zones near homeless shelters that are punishable by felony if violated. This bill also clears the way for residents and businesses to sue cities who fail to enforce the camping ban.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the bill, but some lawmakers believe they have the super majority support needed to override the veto.