HB1049 is a harmful bill copied from other states to address an issue that the sponsor has admitted does not exist in Arkansas. It would criminalize unlawful squatting, further entrenching the criminalization of poverty and housing insecurity.
The ACLU of Arkansas strongly opposes HB1049 because:
- It punishes, rather than addresses, housing insecurity. Instead of tackling the root causes of homelessness, such as the lack of affordable housing and access to resources, this bill imposes punitive measures on those struggling to find shelter.
- It disproportionately harms vulnerable individuals and families. Criminalizing squatting does nothing to reduce homelessness — it only pushes people further into instability and hardship.
- It exacerbates the criminalization of poverty. Treating homelessness as a crime instead of a social issue diverts resources away from real solutions, like housing assistance and support services.
Arkansas should focus on proven strategies to reduce homelessness, not punitive policies that make it harder for people to find stability. The ACLU of Arkansas stands against HB1049 and supports housing-first approaches that provide real solutions for those in need.
