ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two votes last week — by Allentown City Council and the U.S. Supreme Court — made it a difficult one for advocates for homeless people in Allentown.
Council on Wednesday voted down a Homeless Bill of Rights, sparking chants of “Shame!” from those in the crowd.
And the Supreme Court ruled Friday that cities can punish homeless people for sleeping in public spaces.
Allentown’s Commission on Homelessness worked for more than a year to get city council members to look at the Bill of Rights, crafted as a symbolic resolution.
A stream of residents this month urged an Allentown City Council committee to pass the proposal, but the resolution garnered little support beyond Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach.
Gerlach on Wednesday tried to convince her colleagues to pass the resolution.
“Individuals that are unsheltered should not be prohibited from enjoying the rights we all enjoy."Proposed amendment to a failed Unsheltered Declaration of Rights
She proposed an amendment to clarify that the resolution — now known as an Unsheltered Declaration of Rights — would serve as a statement that “Allentown City Council recognizes and supports the rights and dignity of all individuals.”
“Individuals that are unsheltered should not be prohibited from enjoying the rights we all enjoy,” the amendment reads, noting Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York City and Puerto Rico have passed similar measures.
The resolution also would’ve declared that council “finds that the criminalization of homelessness and mental (illness) is unacceptable.”
Council Vice President Santo Napoli raised concerns Wednesday with a portion of the resolution that could have allowed people to camp on private property with permission.
Councilwoman Candida Affa said she spoke to many residents who were worried about panhandling.
But the Unsheltered Declaration of Rights does not address panhandling, which is allowed — with strict parameters — under Allentown ordinances, Gerlach said, adding that should not play a factor in members’ votes.
'People will remember'
But Councilwoman Natalie Santos was the only member to join Gerlach in supporting the resolution. Members Cynthia Mota, Ed Zucal, Daryl Hendricks, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa voted against it.
“I’m so disappointed in those of you who voted against giving homeless people rights. Like, yo, I just can’t believe that. So disappointed, and people will remember that (vote)."Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach
Many people in council’s chambers left Wednesday’s meeting after that vote, with some yelling “Shame on you!” at members as they did.
At the end of the meeting, Gerlach also expressed her disappointment in council members over their vote to reject the Unsheltered Declaration of Rights.
“This one hurt. This one hurt,” Gerlach said. “As someone who has been pushed along, as someone who has sleep out- … I can’t even describe to you how much this hurt.”
Gerlach slept in her car for about six months in 2009 after she was forced to get a new car tire to keep working rather than paying rent.
“I’m so disappointed in those of you who voted against giving homeless people rights,” she said. “Like, yo, I just can’t believe that. So disappointed, and people will remember that (vote).”
Mayor Matt Tuerk this month said the now-failed Unsheltered Declaration of Rights was “a bit of a distraction.”
“Coming up with solutions is more important,” he told LehighValleyNews.com.
