(NLCHP) Many of the people who do not work are actively trying to find jobs, but are discriminated against by the work force. Many people have experienced this discrimination; people can't get a job without an address (huduser.org). When they use the shelter's address they get turned down. Many other homeless people cannot find jobs because they are handicapped nor have unstable minds. Those people often try to earn money by selling jewelry or panhandling. This is also illegal. Between the work force and the laws that the government creates, it is impossible for a homeless person to support his or herself. There are many other laws that also discriminate against homeless people. In "liberal" Berkeley the city council voted to make illegal the following actions; sitting on a sidewalk, asking for change near an ATM or parking meter, asking for change after dark, holding a cup, etc. (huduser.org) Also, Santa Cruz currently has a camping ban that prohibits having sleeping materials on the ground between certain hours. Many of these laws that discriminate against homeless people are in direct violation of the constitution. The first amendment says that "Congress shall make no law. abridging the freedom of speech." Making it illegal for homeless people to ask for money limits their right of free speech. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty released a report about homeless children attending school. Homeless children are often denied their right to attend public schools because of residency requirements. Also, for many homeless children, it is impossible for them to obtain birth certificates and immunization requirements needed to attend public school. This is a violation of the federal law guaranteeing equal access to public education. (Homelessness in America) In many cases, separate schools are created for homeless children. These schools are not taught by certified teachers, do not follow the same curriculum other public schools, group children of different ages and grade levels in the same classrooms, and do not provide special programs and activities available in other public schools.
