Homelessness

Interested in policy supporting homeless youths? ABA group provides guidance

“Best practices have changed, and how this crisis unfolds itself is changing,” says Richard Hooks Wayman, a liaison to the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty. “We thought it was time to really pick up on what we’ve been learning in the field over the last 15 years and come out with a new publication.”

Jan 18, 2024 9:09 AM CST

Does banning camping by homeless people violate Eighth Amendment? Supreme Court agrees to decide

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether the U.S. Constitution prevents the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, from issuing civil citations to people who violate a ban on sleeping on public property.

Jan 16, 2024 10:09 AM CST

California aims to expand mental health treatment with new conservatorship definition of ‘gravely disabled’

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Tuesday that is intended to expand the categories of people who can be involuntarily detained for mental health treatment.

Oct 13, 2023 2:10 PM CDT

10th Circuit upholds ban on firearms for felon convicted of check fraud

The federal ban on gun possession by felons doesn't appear to be affected by a 2022 Second Amendment decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Sep 18, 2023 3:50 PM CDT

Nonlawyer advocates can help tenants facing eviction in program approved in 2 states

The Arizona Supreme Court and the Utah Supreme Court have approved proposals to allow trained, nonlawyer advocates to provide free limited-scope representation to tenants facing housing instability.

Jun 14, 2023 9:30 AM CDT

ABE’s annual grant program sends $300K to 12 innovative projects

Low-income clients overburdened by debt, transgender and nonbinary people who need help changing their names, and youths experiencing homelessness are among the groups supported this year by the American Bar Endowment’s Opportunity Grant Program.

Apr 26, 2023 11:50 AM CDT

8th Circuit upholds food-safety law in suit by pastor who gave bologna sandwiches to homeless people

A pastor and his assistant who were ticketed but not prosecuted for handing out bologna sandwiches to homeless people have lost their First Amendment lawsuit against the city of St. Louis.

Oct 19, 2022 9:05 AM CDT

During ABA Giving Day, members can support efforts advocating for democracy, equity and justice

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ABA’s members, volunteers and donors have answered the call to help increase legal services and transform the justice system. The FJE hopes to build on that momentum with the 2022 ABA Giving Day.

Oct 18, 2022 11:10 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Judge tosses challenge to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law; gun-makers win dismissal of Mexico suit

Challenge to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law gets tossed A federal judge in Tallahassee, Florida, has tossed a challenge to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. In a Sept. 29 order, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor of the Northern District of…

Oct 7, 2022 3:30 PM CDT

Weekly Briefs: ABA supports marriage equality law; Stanford offers new model for legal ed loans

ABA president calls on Senate to support Respect for Marriage Act ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross is calling on members of the U.S. Senate to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed with significant bipartisan support in July. In a letter sent to senators…

Sep 16, 2022 3:03 PM CDT

California governor backs mental health courts that could compel people into care

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to fight homelessness with a proposal to create a mental health “CARE Court” in every county that could compel treatment for those with severe mental illness.

Mar 8, 2022 8:40 AM CST

10 guidelines to aid tenants and landlords in eviction crisis are adopted by the ABA House

The House of Delegates approved a measure adopting the ABA 10 Guidelines for Residential Eviction Laws at the ABA Midyear Meeting on Monday.

Feb 14, 2022 4:10 PM CST

Preventive action is needed to reduce youth homelessness

The ABA House of Delegates passed a resolution Monday urging governmental bodies to repurpose funding to support prevention approaches aimed at dramatically reducing the number of youth experiencing homelessness each year and enhancing their safety, permanency and well-being.

Feb 14, 2022 12:10 PM CST

Donations for ABA Giving Day more than double previous year’s total

This year’s ABA Giving Day has exceeded expectations, raising about $90,000 more than the association’s goal for the campaign.

Nov 22, 2021 12:05 PM CST

ABA Giving Day is an opportunity ‘to help ensure a just society,’ says ABA president

For the second year, the ABA is asking members to join in its efforts to address significant issues that affect their communities.

Oct 19, 2021 2:29 PM CDT