Made for More Just Send Them Away

We don't want to see them.

Hello friends,

I stand before you today with a heart full of compassion and a spirit ignited by the fervor from love for God and for those that are our walking wounded, the homeless. We are faced with a crisis that demands our immediate attention and unwavering resolve. Homelessness has become a scourge upon our society, and it is our divine duty to address it with the utmost urgency and dedication.

A common approach to homelessness? Buy a bus ticket and send the person to another town; out of sight, out of mind. But is this a real solution, or just moving the problem elsewhere? Every community that sends people away contributes to a mass swirl of homelessness, a cycle of displacement that prevents stability, growth, and healing. Homelessness isn’t a problem we can pass to the next town. It’s something communities must take ownership of. What if, instead of shipping people off, we invested in long-term change such as housing, education, mentorship, prevention? It’s time to stop the shuffle.

As a man of God, I implore you to consider the teachings of our faith. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, to care for the least among us, and to be the hands and feet of the Lord in a world that so desperately needs His touch. Homelessness is not a problem that can be solved by simply moving people from one place to another. It is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach, one that addresses the root causes and provides sustainable solutions.

The dangers of hitchhiking are well-known. It is a perilous journey that exposes individuals to the elements, to violence, and to exploitation. Many have resorted to fanciful stories of wanting to get home in order to convince churches and others to fund their rides to other communities. This misuse of charitable resources is not only a disservice to those who are truly in need, but it also perpetuates a cycle of homelessness that is difficult to break. Of course, the person requesting help won’t be telling the truth that they just want to go to another city. They will say that they just want to get home to their dying mother or some such story. When you put them on a bus you are being hoodwinked, my friend.

We must advocate for community-based solutions to homelessness. It is time for us to take ownership of this issue and to invest in long-term change. Housing, education, mentorship, and prevention are the pillars upon which we must build our efforts. By providing stable housing, we give individuals the foundation they need to rebuild their lives. By offering education and mentorship, we empower them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive. And by focusing on prevention, we address the root causes of homelessness and work to ensure that no one falls through the cracks.

I propose a new Oklahoma State Law that will prohibit cities, organizations, and individuals from sending homeless individuals to other cities without confirmed housing. This law will ensure that we are not simply passing the problem to the next town, but that we are taking responsibility for our own communities. It will require that any person being sent to another city has a confirmed home waiting for them on the other end. It will promote stability and growth for those who are most vulnerable.

Here is a draft of the proposed law:

Homeless Relocation Accountability Act

Section 1. Title

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the *Homeless Relocation Accountability Act*.

Section 2. Purpose

To ensure ethical and responsible treatment of individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting the relocation of such individuals to another municipality, county, or state without verified housing arrangements, and to hold accountable any party that violates this provision.

Section 3. Definitions

-“Homeless individual” means a person lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

- “Sending party” includes any city, town, county, organization, agency, or individual who arranges or funds transportation for a homeless individual to another jurisdiction.

- “Receiving jurisdiction” means the city, town, or county to which the individual is being sent.

- “Verified housing” means a documented and confirmed arrangement for stable housing, including the name, address, and contact information of the housing provider.

Section 4. Prohibited Conduct

No sending party shall transport or fund the transportation of a homeless individual to another jurisdiction without:

(a) Written confirmation of verified housing in the receiving jurisdiction; and

(b) Consent from the receiving jurisdiction if public services or shelters are to be utilized.

Section 5. Penalties and Enforcement

(a) Any sending party found in violation of this Act shall be required to:

1. Reimburse the receiving jurisdiction or the State of Oklahoma for all costs associated with the return transportation of the individual to the original jurisdiction.

2. Pay an administrative fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation.

(b) Repeated violations may result in additional civil penalties, including suspension of state funding for relevant programs.

Section 6. Exceptions

This Act shall not apply to:

(a) Individuals relocating voluntarily with personal funds and without solicitation or arrangement by a sending party.

(b) Emergency evacuations due to natural disasters or public health crises, provided that temporary housing is arranged.

Section 7. Implementation and Oversight

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services shall oversee the implementation of this Act and establish a reporting mechanism for violations. Annual reports shall be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature.

Section 8. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect TBD

Let us be inspired by the passion of Teddy Roosevelt, who once said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." We have the power to make a difference, to be the change that we wish to see in the world. It is time for us to rise to the occasion, to be the hands and feet of the Lord, and to address homelessness with the compassion and dedication that it deserves.

In conclusion, I call upon the people of Oklahoma to support this proposed law and to join me in the fight against homelessness. Together, we can create a brighter future for all, one that is built on the principles of love, compassion, and community. Let us take ownership of this issue and invest in long-term change. It is time to stop the shuffle and to provide the stability, growth, and healing that our brothers and sisters so desperately need.

May the Lord bless our efforts and guide us in this noble endeavor.