Alaska Considers “Homeless Bill of Rights”

Last week Anchorage Democratic Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson proposed a bill that would codify the rights of Alaskans experiencing homelessness. The proposed bill would give Alaskans the right to rest or seek shelter in public spaces so long as they don’t obstruct traffic; occupy a legally parked vehicle or watercraft; accept, offer and eat food in public space; and much more without “harassment, mistreatment or fear of retribution from public servants.”

The Alaska Beacon reports that Gray-Jackson doesn’t believe her bill would stop the city from clearing camps, or that it is a solution to homelessness. “What the bill would do is ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness are not denied access to essential services such as medical care, clean and safe living conditions, and equal opportunities for employment,” she told the Beacon.

In the past two years, the Beacon reports, almost 100 homeless Alaskans died on the streets of Anchorage alone.