Tourists’ spots around the country are making it illegal to be homeless. The law states that if you are homeless or are of suspicion of living without a residence, you are to be arrested, jailed and fined. 

A census done in 2015 by the Northlake HMIS Data Project describes one to be homeless only when one resides in: a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks and abandoned buildings.

If you are caught feeding the homeless without a permit, you can also be charged the same. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless website, places like Birmingham, AL and Little Rock, AR have in the past made it illegal to be homeless.  This is because statistically, tourists’ spots look more appealing without the look of the homeless laying around the town.  

Florida is also currently trying to joining this new fad by preventing the homeless from taking shelter in large cities. The House of Serenity, a local homeless shelter of Ponchatoula is currently raising awareness of Florida’s new law. The shelter is trying to raise awareness and prevent Louisiana students from spending their Spring Break on Florida’s beaches to fight against the new law. 

The Alpha Kappa Delta chapter of Southeastern is taking sides with the House of Serenity. The chapter has recently sent out a letter stating their thoughts and goals. 

“Over 500,000 individuals in the U.S. alone are currently homeless and in need of our help,” said the Alpha Kappa Delta chapter in a letter. “Many cities cite that having the homeless fed publicly negatively affects tourism and therefore hurts the cities revenue as their reasoning for homeless feeding bans.” 

The letter further reasons that it is important to help the homeless by providing food and shelter rather than just arresting them.  It is also important that the good people who help the homeless are protected from these laws. 

As a form of protest, the Alpha Kappa Delta chapter has formed a fundraiser event collecting food, cleaning supplies and money. These donations will be sent to the House of Serenity Shelter of Ponchatoula. 

The chapter will have a table set up in the union every Tuesday of March from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. They will also be at the Hammond’s Farmers Market on Apr. 2 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. also collecting donations. 

“We encourage Southeastern students to come into the community and help out, and live beyond the books,” said AKD member Sarah Basile. 

Louisiana’s state laws thus far are not against the homeless hanging around towns and cities but are against panhandlers. If caught panhandling, it could result in arrest and or large fines.