Advocacy

Criminalizing the actions and the very existence of individuals experiencing homelessness is harmful and counterproductive. As years of research and on-the-ground experience have shown, addressing homelessness through arrests and fines only makes it more difficult to find safe and permanent housing. In line with best practices, HAP advocates on behalf of unhoused individuals for solutions to homelessness that do not strip people of their rights, agency and dignity.

• HAP Statement on Grants Pass v Johnson Ruling (2024)
• Criminalization of Homelessness is Not the Solution – The Philadelphia Bar Reporter

HAP advocates for safe and stable emergency shelter as well as access to permanent housing. We work to reduce barriers to housing access created by eviction histories, discriminatory policies and administrative hurdles.

• Philadelphia Bill of Rights for People Experiencing Homelessness (2022)
• HAP in Action: 01/26 Advocacy Update — Homeless Advocacy Project
• HAP’s Statement on The Trump Administration’s Proposed Funding Cuts — Homeless Advocacy Project
• HAP in Action: 6/26 Advocacy Update — Homeless Advocacy Project
• HAP’s June 21 Testimony to City Council Re: Renters Access Act — Homeless Advocacy Project

For an individual experiencing homelessness, obtaining or replacing their identification documents is a necessary first step toward obtaining housing, employment, health insurance and other benefits. HAP advocates for policies that make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to obtain identification documents and against policies that make it harder to access basic rights due to lack of identification.  

• Eliminating-the-Barriers-to-Getting-a-State-ID-6-21-Bar-Reporter.pdf
• HAP Negotiates New Application Process to Obtain Puerto Rico Birth Certificates — Homeless Advocacy Project

For almost twenty years, HAP’s SOAR Project has helped thousands of individuals living with chronic mental and physical disabilities obtain federal Social Security benefits. In addition to direct legal representation, HAP advocates for systemic change to reform and update the federal disability benefits program. We also advocate to preserve and increase access to public benefits such as SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid.

• SSI savings limit increase
• HAP In Action: 05/26 Research and Direct Service Update — Homeless Advocacy Project

HAP’s Children, Youth and Families Project has collaborated for many years with other advocates to support the preservation of SSI and survivors’ benefits for youth in foster care to help prevent homelessness.

• Preservation of SSI benefits for foster youth