DOJ Issues Letter to Courts Regarding Fines and Fees for Youth and Adults

The Justice Department on April 20, 2023 issued a Dear Colleague Letter for state and local courts and juvenile justice agencies regarding the imposition and enforcement of fines and fees for adults and youth. The letter addresses common court-imposed fines and fees practices, and cautions against those practices that may be unlawful, unfairly penalize individuals who are unable to pay or otherwise have a discriminatory effect. The department provides this letter as part of its ongoing commitment to fairness, economic justice and combating the policies that disproportionately contribute to justice system involvement for low-income communities.

The letter highlights a number of key issues regarding fines and fees, such as the importance of conducting a meaningful ability-to-pay assessment before imposing adverse consequences for failure to pay, considering alternatives to fines and fees, guarding against excessive penalties and ensuring due process protections, including the assistance of counsel when appropriate.

The letter reminds court systems and other federal financial assistance recipients of their ongoing obligations not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex and disability; to provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency; and to ensure that appropriate recordkeeping can help identify and avoid potential violations of federal nondiscrimination laws. The department will also follow up on this letter by building a best practices guide, highlighting innovative work by states and court leaders in this area.

Read More about the Letter by clicking here!

Download the Letter by clicking here!

Congressional Caucus to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness

Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) announced the reestablishment of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness on February 28. The caucus will provide a dedicated forum for members of Congress to work toward the common goal of ending homelessness in the U.S. Fenix Youth Project Inc. strongly supports the creation of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, which will play a vital role in educating legislators and their staffs, securing additional resources for key programs, and identifying policy opportunities to address the crisis of homelessness.

The Congressional Caucus on Homelessness plans to analyze the complex factors contributing to homelessness and educate members on the federal programs that are key to serving people experiencing homelessness. The caucus will continue to advocate for funding for these programs and explore policies needed to secure affordable housing and voluntary support services for the 580,00 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night in the U.S.

“Housing is vital to a full and meaningful participation in society, but too many people in Oregon and across our country lack a safe and stable place to call home,” said Rep. Bonamici. “I am grateful for the opportunity to reestablish the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness with my colleagues Reps. Barragán, Garcia, and Bush. The caucus will help members find common ground as we pursue humane, research-backed policies to address homelessness.”

“The United States is experiencing a national homelessness crisis,” said Rep. Barragán. “In Los Angeles County alone there are over 69,000 people experiencing homelessness. Addressing this serious issue requires collaboration, education, and advocacy to improve the lives of our unhoused community members. The Caucus will help to open dialogue and facilitate important conversations about the best ways to solve this crisis.”

“The need for housing is universal, yet over 500,000 people across the country experience being unhoused,” said Rep. Bush. “This is the result of policy failures, and Congress has a moral responsibility to address the unhoused crisis. This caucus provides an important forum for leaders in Congress to cultivate ideas and encourage our fellow Members to support legislative solutions to continue to tackle the housing crisis and ultimately solve it once and for all.”

“It has always been one of my top priorities to ensure equitable opportunity for all Americans, regardless of background, financial condition, ability, or housing status,” said Rep. Garcia. “As a Member of the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I will dedicate my efforts to finding legislative solutions, advocating for critical funding, and keeping our nation’s most vulnerable people housed. We, as Co-Chairs, will fight for homeless individuals alongside our Caucus Members with the collective goal of eradicating this failure in our system, as we believe that housing is a human right.”

Read the press release for more information and a full list of caucus members: https://bit.ly/3JbY2cx

Youth Voices Speak on Homelessness

Last school year, Wicomico County Public schools served 437 families and students in transition. Across the lower shore, youth experiencing homelessness is steadily increasing and young people are asking, “Why aren’t we doing anything about homelessness?”

On October 21, 2021, at 4:00 pm, Fenix Youth Project Inc. invites the public to attend the Youth-Led Town Hall being held at the Truitt Street Community Center to address the state of homelessness in our area and provide possible solutions. Led by young people, this town hall aims to not only provide a safe space for the community to share their personal experience but also advocate for the creation of a Bill of Rights for Citizens Experiencing Homelessness that will be created by FYP’s Youth Advisory Board (Y.A.B).

Executive Director, Amber Green is excited to partner with Salisbury University students and youth currently utilizing the Arts & Media Drop-In Center to host this event. “I think we’ve put the voices of those experiencing homelessness on the sidelines for far too long and it will take one sub-group of the vulnerable population, the youth, to provide space to another.”

Teachers, counselors, and case managers alike are asked to encourage their young people to attend this event. Food will be provided and community service hours are given to those who need it. The public is invited to this all-ages event and Fenix Youth Project is asking those who have transportation challenges to give them a call at 443-736-8028 to arrange transportation.