The Houston City Council has enacted a new measure extending the city’s Civility Ordinance to prohibit lying down or placing belongings on sidewalks in designated areas, marking a significant policy shift aimed at addressing homelessness. This decision expands the existing ordinance, which previously restricted such activities from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m., to a continuous 24-hour ban. The council approved the measure in a 14-2 vote, with council members Tarsha Jackson and Abbie Kamin dissenting.
The ordinance primarily affects downtown Houston and East Downtown, where community members must submit petitions for such regulations. Violators face potential fines up to $500, though exceptions exist for medical emergencies and certain public events. The city administration describes this initiative as a “pilot program” to foster more targeted interventions between local authorities and homeless individuals, with Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasizing its role in reducing homelessness by facilitating access to shelters and necessary services.
Despite the council’s intent, critics argue that similar laws elsewhere have failed to mitigate homelessness effectively, potentially aggravating the issue by criminalizing the lack of housing and fostering mistrust in social services. Council member Abbie Kamin highlighted concerns over existing barriers in shelters, which may compel homeless individuals to choose between inadequate shelter options and punitive measures. Research by the National Alliance to End Homelessness indicates such policies can lead to poorer health outcomes and diminish trust in aid providers.