FRIDAY. ALL RIGHT, GABRIELLE, THANK YOU. ALSO HAPPENING TODAY IN HARRISBURG AT THE STATE CAPITOL. LAWMAKERS INTRODUCING A BILL THAT THEY SAY IS AIMED AT PREVENTING THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS. THEY SAY THE SHELTER FIRST ACT WOULD REQUIRE MUNICIPALITIES TO PROVIDE INDOOR SPACES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BEFORE THEY CAN ENFORCE ANY LAW TO CRIMINALIZE THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE. LAWMAKERS SAY A U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING LAST YEAR ALLOWED FOR GOVERNMENTS TO PUT HOMELESS PEOPLE IN JAIL INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. LANCASTER STATE REPRESENTATIVE IZZY SMITH WADDELL IS ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS INTRODUCING THIS BILL. THEY’
Pennsylvania lawmakers to introduce bill that aims to prevent criminalization of homelessness
Updated: 11:00 AM EST Nov 18, 2025
Pennsylvania lawmakers are set to introduce the Shelter First Act, which aims to prevent the criminalization of homelessness by requiring municipalities to provide indoor spaces for those experiencing homelessness before enforcing laws against living outside.Sen. Nikil Saval and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El will join advocates to announce the introduction of the Shelter First Act at the Pennsylvania State Capitol at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Speakers are set to address the need for this legislation to benefit public health, prevent undue burdens on our justice system, and help individual people and families regain crucial stability in their lives so that they can obtain permanent housing.Officials said the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson allowed for the possibility of local governments to impose civil and criminal penalties on residents experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside. This decision opened the door for municipalities to respond to homelessness by sending their residents to jail rather than addressing the need for safe, affordable housing.In the memo, the senators highlight how the severe housing crisis is affecting the Commonwealth and the nation, noting that stagnant wages, high living costs, and rising housing expenses have left many households vulnerable, with nearly a quarter of U.S. homeowners and half of U.S. renters being cost-burdened. “People who are unsheltered are at increased risk for chronic disease, mental illness, substance use issues, and early death,” the memo states. “The hardships experienced by people who are unsheltered, including increased incidence of chronic homelessness, are compounded when the only response of their governments is via criminal and civil penalties.” The proposed legislation claims that imposing civil or criminal penalties on homeless individuals for life-sustaining activities without providing adequate indoor alternatives violates Article I, Section 13 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which protects against excessive bail, fines, and cruel punishments. The senators argue that providing proper indoor shelter is essential for maintaining public spaces, reducing burdens on the justice system, and allowing individuals and families to regain stability and seek permanent housing.”This bill upholds the dignity and rights of all Pennsylvanians and clearly affirms that our communities are made stronger when everyone has a safe place to sleep,” the memo stated.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are set to introduce the Shelter First Act, which aims to prevent the criminalization of homelessness by requiring municipalities to provide indoor spaces for those experiencing homelessness before enforcing laws against living outside.
Sen. Nikil Saval and Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El will join advocates to announce the introduction of the Shelter First Act at the Pennsylvania State Capitol at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Speakers are set to address the need for this legislation to benefit public health, prevent undue burdens on our justice system, and help individual people and families regain crucial stability in their lives so that they can obtain permanent housing.
Officials said the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson allowed for the possibility of local governments to impose civil and criminal penalties on residents experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside. This decision opened the door for municipalities to respond to homelessness by sending their residents to jail rather than addressing the need for safe, affordable housing.
In the memo, the senators highlight how the severe housing crisis is affecting the Commonwealth and the nation, noting that stagnant wages, high living costs, and rising housing expenses have left many households vulnerable, with nearly a quarter of U.S. homeowners and half of U.S. renters being cost-burdened.
“People who are unsheltered are at increased risk for chronic disease, mental illness, substance use issues, and early death,” the memo states. “The hardships experienced by people who are unsheltered, including increased incidence of chronic homelessness, are compounded when the only response of their governments is via criminal and civil penalties.”
The proposed legislation claims that imposing civil or criminal penalties on homeless individuals for life-sustaining activities without providing adequate indoor alternatives violates Article I, Section 13 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which protects against excessive bail, fines, and cruel punishments.
The senators argue that providing proper indoor shelter is essential for maintaining public spaces, reducing burdens on the justice system, and allowing individuals and families to regain stability and seek permanent housing.
“This bill upholds the dignity and rights of all Pennsylvanians and clearly affirms that our communities are made stronger when everyone has a safe place to sleep,” the memo stated.