A group of advocates for the homeless allege Norristown officials have “criminalized” homelessness and disregarded people’s rights to housing — while “actively refusing to get funds for people for affordable housing,” according to Eric Tars, legal director for the National Homelessness Law Center. Advocates for the homeless submitted Right-to-Know requests for communication concerning homelessness in the municipality between Norristown officials and others. The emails were released to the advocates in July. Reviewed by the Philadelphia Inquirer, the emails show that despite the borough’s high rates of poverty and homelessness, municipal officials have turned down federal funding for housing because it included stipulations to construct affordable dwellings for people with low incomes or disabilities. Norristown Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones said that the emails have been interpreted “without the appropriate context.” Advocates complain that officials in Norristown and municipalities all over Montgomery County are using zoning laws to preclude construction of affordable housing. The local and national advocates plan to charge Norristown officials with human rights violations of people experiencing homelessness during a United Nations hearing on human rights in Geneva, Switzerland, in October. United Nations findings won’t carry the weight of the law, but international derision might force change in the municipality. Earlier this year, Montgomery County convened a Homelessness Task Force to address acute needs related to homelessness and housing in the county. The task force’s work will continue through November.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/21/2023