Jesse Arreguín Councilmember, District 4 CONSENT CALENDAR July 24, 2012 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Councilmember Jesse Arreguin Subject: California Homeless Bill of Rights RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution urging the California Legislature to adopt the California Homeless Bill of Rights, which, among various things, establishes that no person should suffer unfair discrimination based on their homeless status. BACKGROUND: Being homeless in California does not deny a person basic rights, access to necessary services or fair treatment in the workplace or polling place. The “Homeless Bill of Rights” will guarantee that no person’s rights, privileges or access to public services will be denied or abridged solely because he or she is homeless. Late last month, the State of Rhode Island passed a first-of-its-kind Homeless Bill of Rights,” signed Governor Lincoln Chafee, a former Republican who now identifies as Independent. Last week, the California Legislature passed a much needed Homeowners Bill of rights; the next logical step is to ensure the rights of those without a home. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. CONTACT PERSONS: Councilmember Jesse Arreguin, District 4 981-7140 ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution 2. Text of California Homeless Bill of Rights 3. “Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights Praised As US Model,” Huffington Post 4. “R.I. Gov. Chafee Signs First-In-Nation Homeless Bill of Rights,” Providence Journal 2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-7140 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-7144 E-Mail:
[email protected] RESOLUTION NO. URGING THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT THE CALIFORNIA HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENSURE THAT BASIC RIGHTS ARE GUARANTEED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WHEREAS, the most recent available data estimates that there 649,917 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S.