Homeless Persons Representation Project Inc.

As we observe Veterans Day here at HPRP today, we'd like to remind you that, tomorrow, we have an important opportunity to hear directly from women who have served. Please join us: RSVP at bit.ly/UBVeteransPanel.

We're thrilled to announce a landmark settlement between Maryland's Department of Human Services (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. This agreement addresses longstanding issues of disability discrimination in the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program. ? For years, Marylanders living with disabilities faced unfair barriers in accessing this crucial cash benefit. Thanks to the vocal advocacy of impacted families and the hard work of our legal team over the last decade, that's about to change. Visit bit.ly/HPRPOCR for our full statement.

Direct input shapes our organization and ensures we're addressing the most pressing needs of our friends and neighbors - we want to hear from YOU! English: bit.ly/HPRPSURVEYENG Espa?ol: bit.ly/HPRPSURVEYESP Phone: 443-884-2213 Paper copies available upon request We encourage all community members to participate. Your feedback is invaluable in our mission to provide effective legal representation and advocacy. For questions or more information, please contact [email protected] #LegalAid #CommunityFeedback #SocialJustice #HomelessAdvocacy

On November 12th, join us for “Voices of Women Veterans,” where three remarkable veterans share their journeys through and beyond military service. From deployment to VA offices, from homelessness to advocacy, their stories illuminate the complex landscape women navigate during and after service. Hosted at University of Baltimore School of Law and moderated by UBalt Law Professor and Navy veteran Jessica L. Wherry, this free event brings together Homeless Persons Representation Project Inc., The Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Government and Military Law Students Association. Space is limited. Visit?bit.ly/UBVeteransPanel?to reserve your spot for an evening of powerful stories and important insights. #WomenVeterans?#LifeAfterService?#VeteransDay

Thank you to the Homeless Persons Representation Project Inc. for hosting a "Know Your Rights" session at 421 Fallsway last week! HPRP answered questions about SNAP, Temporary Disability, Temporary Cash Assistance, and your rights to EBT reimbursement. Learn more and find free civil legal services at hprplaw.org! Feat. Senior Client Relations Manager Malcolm Williams, LCSW-C. . . . Image description: four people of varying skintones, one wearing a Health Care for the Homeless sweatshirt, smile at the camera. They stand in front of a desk holding multicolored pamphlets. Image two: a stack of pamphlets in English and Spanish reading "?cuáles son mis derechos?" and "Reimbursement of stolen food and cash benefits: know your rights."

In April, we at the Homeless Persons Representation Project stood alongside numerous housing justice advocates outside the Supreme Court as it considered?Johnson v. Grants Pass. We voiced our strong opposition to the criminalization of homelessness, knowing it violates constitutional rights and denies basic human dignity to people experiencing homelessness. Today, we are deeply saddened by the?Court's ruling, which stands in stark contrast to the values we champion. The Supreme Court's decision allows for the arrest and fining of unhoused individuals who use essential items for survival in public areas, even when shelter alternatives are unavailable. This ruling deeply concerns us at HPRP, as it contradicts principles of empathy and justice that should guide our society.?By failing to address the underlying causes of homelessness and instead enabling punitive approaches that double down on the economic insecurity faced by our neighbors, this decision is a significant step backward. It undermines efforts to implement effective, housing-focused solutions to homelessness. We at HPRP maintain that criminalizing homelessness is misguided and harmful. Punishing individuals for basic survival goes against our values and is ultimately ineffective in addressing the issue. We firmly believe that equal access to permanently affordable housing will support our neighbors facing housing insecurity. Jail time and financial penalization will only compound that insecurity.?This precedent-setting ruling threatens to worsen the homelessness crisis nationally, hindering the work of organizations dedicated to housing justice and meaningful solutions. Nevertheless, HPRP remains resolute in our commitment. We will persist in advocating for the rights of individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness and we will continue to promote policies that tackle the real drivers of housing insecurity. We urge all of Maryland’s governmental bodies to eschew criminalization in favor of investments in affordable housing and support services.?For those struggling with housing or economic instability, HPRP stands ready to assist. Visit us at?hprplaw.org?to explore our services and initiatives. ? We call upon our communities, leaders, and fellow advocates to intensify our collective efforts towards ensuring everyone has access to safe, stable housing. The struggle for housing justice persists, and your support is crucial now more than ever. If you would like to support HPRP’s work to end homelessness in Maryland, please visit?hprplaw.org/donate.

The Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) celebrates?Governor Wes Moore's decision to pardon 175,000?cannabis?convictions in Maryland?this month. We believe this is a crucial step toward rectifying historical injustices and addressing systemic bias in the criminal justice system.? ? "The disproportionate impact of?cannabis-related arrests on marginalized communities cannot be overstated," says HPRP Executive Director Kirsten Gettys Downs. "Despite similar rates of?cannabis?use across racial groups, Black and Brown individuals have faced higher arrest rates. These convictions perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage."? ? By pardoning these convictions, Maryland acknowledges the systemic bias that led to these arrests and takes a vital step toward housing and economic justice. Criminal records often create significant barriers to securing stable housing and employment due to discrimination, poverty, and systemic racism.? ? "People on community supervision, such as probation or parole, are particularly vulnerable to homelessness and the associated health risks, including the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19," Ms. Downs adds. "When it comes to building thriving communities, we cannot overemphasize the importance of prioritizing alternatives to incarceration and investing in comprehensive support services, including permanently stable housing, to break the cycle of homelessness and reduce the disproportionate impact on individuals with criminal records."? ? HPRP has been?collaborating with legal services organizations statewide on?cannabis?expungement education and outreach efforts?to ensure affected individuals understand their rights and have access to resources.? ? "Rectification and community healing involves more than wiping records clean," Ms. Downs says. "It requires addressing the root causes of discriminatory enforcement and ensuring access to justice for all."? ? HPRP applauds Gov. Moore's bold action and vows to continue encouraging dialogue, transparency, and collaboration among policymakers, communities, and advocates to build a truly equitable and compassionate Maryland. If you would like to support HPRP’s work to eliminate barriers that contribute to homelessness in Maryland, please visit?hprplaw.org/donate.

Back in 2023, Maryland Legal Services Corporation awarded a joint grant to Homeless Persons Representation Project Inc., Maryland Legal Aid, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), ALLEGANY LAW FOUNDATION, INC., Shore Legal Access, Inc., Community Legal Services of Prince George's County, Inc., FreeState Justice, Harford County Bar Foundation for the purpose of supporting cannabis expungements. Today, we're proud to announce that the Fresh Leaf Maryland campaign is live! Visit www.freshleafmd.org (and @freshleafmd on Instagram) to learn more about how we're working together to help Marylanders navigate new cannabis laws and seek relief from the barriers to housing, benefits, and education a criminal record can create.

Anne Pasmanick Thank you for the opportunity to share HPRP's work!

So grateful for our creative and talented Administrative Professionals!