Homeless

Denver Jury Awards $1 Million to Homeless Man Assaulted at Luxury Apartment Building

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Denver, CO — A Denver jury recently awarded $1 million to Early Jackson, a homeless man who faced a violent encounter with concierges at a local luxury apartment complex. The incident, which took place in early 2022, highlights significant concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations in public spaces. Jackson, who was returning from his construction job to a Salvation Army shelter where he resided, sought brief refuge from the freezing temperatures in the lobby of the Quincy Apartments. What was intended as a short respite by the fireplace ended abruptly when the building’s concierges … Read more

San Diego Settles Lawsuit with Enhancements to Vehicle Dwelling Laws: Homeless Advocates Celebrate Win for Unhoused Vehicle Residents

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San Diego, California — A recent legal settlement marks a significant change in the way San Diego handles its homeless population that relies on vehicles for shelter. The city has agreed to a series of measures, which will adjust enforcement of two contentious ordinances and provide amenities to those living out of their cars. The class action lawsuit, initiated in 2017, challenged local laws that prohibited people from dwelling in vehicles and issued restrictions on parking oversized vehicles overnight. Advocates for the homeless argued that these regulations unfairly targeted individuals who have no alternative but … Read more

NYC Subway Incident Trial Advances: Jury to Hear Defendant’s Statements in Homeless Man’s Choking Death

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New York, NY — A ruling was made in a New York City courtroom on Friday that could pave the way for jurors to hear firsthand the statements made by Daniel Penny following his involvement in a fatal incident on the subway last year. Penny is accused of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after he choked Jordan Neely, a homeless man, during a confrontation on the F train. Penny, who is a former Marine, did not contest that he placed Neely in a chokehold; he claims it was an act of defense designed to protect … Read more

San Bernardino Settles With ACLU: New Homeless Encampment Cleanup Policy Respects Rights and Restores Spaces

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San Bernardino, Calif. — The City of San Bernardino has reached a pivotal agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to amend how the city manages cleanups of homeless encampments, marking a significant step in addressing concerns over the treatment of unhoused individuals’ belongings during such operations. Under the new settlement, San Bernardino has committed to implementing policies that ensure the possessions of homeless individuals are not destroyed during cleanup initiatives. This policy change allows the city to recommence encampment cleanups while adopting more humane practices toward residents without homes. Local reactions to the … Read more