This program is first in the four-part Ending the Criminalization of Poverty series.
There is a documented link between rising housing costs, the recent drastic growth of evictions, and the exploding prison and jail population. Over 100 cities in the United States criminalize life-sustaining activities such as sleeping, eating, and food-sharing in public. This effectively targets people without stable housing who live in more public spaces, and are thus more visible to authorities and often taken in for minor offenses. The soon-to-be evicted and the homeless, with limited options, frequently turn to illegal activities in the secondary economy. The homelessness-to-prison pipeline also means that thousands of people with behavioral and chronic health conditions are falling through the cracks by being funneled into the prison system instead of receiving the medical help they need. All of this comes at a great public expense.
Watch the recording here:
(Registration not required)
Homelessness is both an input and an output in the criminal justice formula, and for too many, the toxic cycle between streets, shelters, and prison cells is far too common. It may seem like the housing crisis in New York is just too big a problem for private donations to address, but several foundations are funding programs that are making a big difference. Join us for a conversation with government, academic, non-profit, and philanthropic leaders as we seek to understand the homelessness-to-incarceration cycle and what can be done to break it.
Explore:
- The impact of laws that criminalize the condition of homelessness
- Current and future reforms and initiatives in affordable and supportive housing at the local NYC level
- How homelessness increases recidivism and an understanding of incarcerated clients’ housing needs and barriers
- How sub-groups within the homeless population—individuals with mental health issues and youth, etc.—are disproportionally impacted by the homelessness-to-prison cycle
- Initiatives philanthropy is supporting to decrease homelessness and bolster re-entry efforts
Presenters:
- Jeff Coots, Director, From Punishment to Public Health Initiative, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Maria Foscarinis, Founder & Executive Director, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
- Elizabeth Glazer, Director, Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice
- Kristin Miller, Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing
- Cathy Pennington, Executive Vice President for Leased Housing, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
- Diane Sierpina (Moderator), Director of Justice Initiatives, The Tow Foundation
Registration
2:45 - 3:00 PM Check-in
3:00 - 5:00 PM Program
Registration is required by February 27th.
Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the Register Now link above. (no fee)
Non-Member Funders: Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org ($150 fee).
Please email register@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions.