The city’s Human Rights Board is recommending that Albuquerque’s hate crimes ordinance be updated to include housing status — a reference to those experiencing homelessness or who are precariously housed. The recommendation comes after board members noticed a rise in hostilities toward the unhoused community.
The board is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. It was formed 50 years ago and serves as a recommending body. Board members are Kimberly Andujo, Samia Assed, Kathryn Boulton, Jack Champagne, Anami Dass, Leticia Galvez-Trujillo and Larry Hinojos Jr.
Hate crimes laws typically involve certain offenses that are committed on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. A conviction under the classification adds enhanced penalties at sentencing.
“Local crimes against homeless people have always been a feature of homelessness, but they’ve gone up recently, and they go up every summer,” said Dass, the board chair. “These last two weeks I’ve heard of a different assault or attack on a person experiencing homelessness every day. When they walk up they’ll say: ‘Hey, can I get supplies? I got robbed last night or I got jumped last night.’”
Dass said the board has compiled about 100 pages of research and documentation so far citing anti-homeless incidents in the city. The proposed hate crimes amendment is part of a package of board recommendations.
The group is scheduled to host a public hearing Saturday on the rights of people experiencing homelessness, anti-homeless sentiment, and discrimination based on housing status. At the hearing, the board said it will ask for testimony, comments and evidence from individuals and organizations with knowledge of anti-homeless sentiment and/or discrimination.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 22
WHERE: International District Library; 7601 Central Ave. NE
DETAILS: To submit written and recorded statements, click here.
“What this is about is people being refused service at restaurants or being kicked out of stores preemptively,” Dass said. “People being harassed by the police.”
The board recently initiated a “Homeless Rights Project” that consists of a “Homeless Rights Resolution” passed in February, the forthcoming public hearing, and a final report of its findings to be released July 22.
The Homeless Rights Resolution recommended that the city end no-notice homeless encampment closures, reassess city shelter contracts to focus on resident experience, publish a nightly headcount at all city-run shelters and prohibit property destruction by city staff, among other suggestions.
Dass said while there is much to improve, the city has responded positively to some of the board’s recommendations so far, including how homeless encampments are dealt with and how those experiencing homelessness are treated.
“The conversation around encampments has been a lot more careful from the city,” she said.
Dass came to the board a little over a year ago after experiencing homelessness three times in her life. She’s also worked with the population for the past three years.
For more on the Human Rights Board, click here.
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