Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Public Policy Analysis

Second Department

Politics and International Relations

Reader 1

Dr. Dionne Bensonsmith

Reader 2

Dr. Thomas Kim

Rights Information

© 2024 Isabella Kan

Abstract

Throughout the country, there is a divide between housing-based solutions and criminalization. This paper examines the emerging enforcement mechanisms used to criminalize homelessness within Los Angeles County. Specifically, this paper employs a case study to demonstrate how local politicians rely on “quality-of-life” ordinances to alleviate homelessness. This paper will contextualize the current approaches to curbing homelessness on a local, state, and national level and then provide a historical overview of poverty criminalization. Additionally, the use of the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sanitation Department to displace and penalize people experiencing homelessness is discussed. Using city-wide data, this study finds that these ordinances are differentially enforced. Enforcement is heavily dependent on local politicians’ political beliefs, specifically regarding the extent to which a politician expresses support for law enforcement and prioritizing public safety. This thesis will discuss the implication of these findings, specifically concerning the upcoming Supreme Court ruling that will determine the constitutionality of arresting people experiencing homelessness when there is a lack of shelter.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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