Michael A. Stoops Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2019
Introduced: March 19, 2019
Co-introducers: Councilmember Robert White, Mary Cheh, Brandon Todd, Brianne Nadeau
Summary: To amend the Human Rights Act of 1977 to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from discrimination.
Councilmember Grosso's Introduction Statement:
Thank you Chairman Mendelson.
A survey conducted by the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and George Washington University in 2014 found that out of 142 individuals experiencing homelessness, 132 claimed they had been discriminated against because of their homeless status.
While there isn’t more recent data on this issue, virtually all homeless individuals experience some form of discrimination as they go about their everyday lives.
Today, I am introducing the Michael A. Stoops Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2019.
This bill amends the Human Rights Act of 1977 to add homelessness as a protected class to help eradicate discrimination for individuals experiencing homelessness in housing, employment, public accommodation, educational institutions, public service, and commercial space.
It is named the Michael A. Stoops Anti-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2019 to honor the life and legacy of a person who was a long-time advocate for the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness and a tireless warrior for overcoming income inequality.
During his 67 years of life, Michael was able to accomplish many great feats on behalf of individuals experiencing homelessness.
In the 1980s, he help founded the National Coalition for the Homeless.
He fasted and slept on the street in order to pressure Congress to pass the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that provides funding for homeless shelter programs, and is the primary piece of federal legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Later, he pushed the standards of living for homeless individuals by organizing over 100,000 people to join the “End Homelessness Now! Rally”.
In the 1990s, Michael co-found the North American Street Newspaper Association (or “NASNA”). NASNA is a nonprofit trade association of street newspapers that helps to support 110 papers in 40 countries, including our very own local newspaper, Street Sense, where Michael served on the board from 2003 to 2014.
Unfortunately, in 2015 tragedy struck. Michael suffered a massive stroke, which caused him to be wheelchair bound and unable to speak. However, he still remained dedicated to his life’s mission until he passed away in 2017.
Passing this legislation will help eliminate discrimination against homeless people simply because they are homeless.