Campbell strongly opposes bill criminalizing homelessness

Today, Feb. 24, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D -West Lafayette) voted against Senate Bill 285. The bill is Republicans' attempt to address homelessness by making the repeated and unauthorized use of state land for public camping a Class C misdemeanor. Class C misdemeanors in Indiana result in up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. Each local law enforcement agency would be required to report the number of arrests made to the state police department. 

Campbell released the following statement:

“Criminalizing street camping is a demeaning and dehumanizing approach that does nothing to solve the root causes of homelessness. In fact, a criminal record will add additional barriers to recovery. The first thing most landlords check is a person’s criminal record.

“Indiana lacks access to affordable housing, rehabilitative services and mental health programs. Only 55 of Indiana’s counties have the resources they need to serve. We don’t have an adequate support system to help people overcome life’s difficulties. 

“It costs $70 to $75 a day to house someone in a county jail. That cost increases if the individual needs mental health treatment. Instead of spending money on imprisonment, we could expand access to our shelters and rehab centers.

“People experiencing homelessness are our neighbors, and they deserve care and respect. They deserve a state government that attempts to understand and guide them, not one that just locks them up out of sight.”