Being introduced by Rep. Dievendorf of District 77, House Bill 4919 would create the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act. This act would provide that homeless individuals must be granted the same rights and privileges as any other citizen in Michigan and would prohibit the denial or abridgment of an individual’s rights, privileges, or access to public services solely because the individual is, or is perceived to be, homeless, as described by the Michigan House of Representatives.
Following similar precedents set out by Rhode Island, Connecticut, Illinois, and Puerto Rico, NG 4919 would establish Michigan as a state upholding the dignity and respect for individuals regardless of their current housing situations or financial stability. Directly, a list of rights would be recognized including: The right to move freely in public spaces in the same manner as any other individual without discrimination based on the individual’s housing status, the right to emergency medical care without discrimination based on the individual’s housing status, and the right to freedom from employment discrimination because the individual lacks a permanent mailing address or has a mailing address that is a shelter or social service provider.
As social workers, the values of dignity and worth of the person, social justice, and service must be recognized as significant parts of the profession; the Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act would enable these values to be emphasized regarding the housing situations of individuals living throughout Michigan. Importantly, the Act would also explicitly state that it is the role of the Michigan government to intervene and support the houseless population, ensuring that their basic rights are protected. Furthermore, the Act would aid in the public awareness that houselessness is due to economic poverty, lack of affordable housing, and an insufficient social support net.
HB 4919 is stalled in the House Economic Development and Small Business committee. Urge this committee to support this bill here.
