Public commenter urges Spokane County to stop criminalizing homelessness

Becky Dickerhoof, City of Spokane, told the Spokane County Board of Commissioners Feb. 4 that the criminalization of homelessness is ineffective, costly and harms people already disproportionately affected by housing instability.

"In order to end the crisis of homelessness, the criminalization of homelessness must end," Dickerhoof said, reading from material published by the advocacy group Housing Not Handcuffs. She cited a 2015 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services finding that arresting people for performing basic life-sustaining activities — such as sleeping in public — diverts law enforcement from fighting crime.

Dickerhoof said criminal penalties or civil enforcement against people for sitting, sleeping or eating in public can lead to loss of property, loss of custody of children and criminal records that hinder reentry into housing and employment. She added that groups already overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness — communities of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQ youth and adults — are most likely to be further marginalized by enforcement-based approaches.

Why it matters: Dickerhoof framed the issue as both a moral and fiscal question, and urged the county to consider alternatives such as affordable housing and supportive services. The remarks were delivered during the meeting's open public forum; the board did not debate or respond to the comments on the record during that session.

Ending: Dickerhoof concluded by urging dignity-based responses and access to housing services rather than criminal enforcement.