Should it be criminal to be homeless? Friday News Round Up

A homeless person hides on Chicago's streets. Photo by daveco9200.

A new report is out, detailing the measures cities like Chicago use to keep homeless people off the streets.

The report says many cities:
- make it illegal to sit, sleep or store belongings in public places.
- sweep areas of the city where the homeless live.
- make it illegal to share food with homeless people.
- enact laws that punish people for begging in a downtown area.

What do you think? Do these laws discourage crime and make cities safer? Or do they just hurt those who already have to live on the street?

Unwed Births Cause the Cycle of Poverty - Interesting article about whether unwed mothers are the root cause of poverty with some sobering statistics.

St. Stephens Sale? - Chicago Journal says the affordable housing complex near West End that's known for its criminal activity and unsafe conditions may be getting a new owner.

Chicago Housing Authority Searches For Former Residents - Natalie Moore's news brief on the 90 day response period for public housing residents.

Giving Families a Choice - HuffPo editorial by Shaun Donovan and Henry Cisneros on the new Choice Neighborhoods program

Social Security Accidentally Released by Hampton  Housing Authority - Oops.