Panhandling Campaign

On Tuesday, August 28, 2018, local organizations across the country will send a coordinated letter to government officials in cities where panhandling is banned to demand the repeal of such restrictions on free speech. Since the 2015 decision in Norton v. Springfield declaring panhandling as protected free speech, more than 25 laws attempting to ban panhandling have been found unconstitutional. View the targeted cities.

Everyone has the right to ask for help. Bans against panhandling must be repealed until basic needs such as food, health care, and housing are met for all people experiencing homelessness.

Join us in the Housing Not Handcuffs Campaign. For more information on alternatives to criminalization, see our Housing Not Handcuffs report. 

Housing Not Handcuffs Twitter

Housing Not Handcuffs Facebook

NLCHP Facebook

NLCHP Twitter

Images to post on social media

Everyone has the right to ask for help.

Enforcing panhandling bans is a waste of time and money.

Permits are burdensome.

Asking for help is a constitutional right.

Twenty seven percent of cities prohibit panhandling city-wide.

Since 2015, 100 percent of challenged panhandling bans have been declared unconstitutional. 

Show your support by downloading and printing our “I Ask For Help Because” sign. Tell us the reason why you may ask someone for help, take a photo, and share on social media using hashtag #IAskForHelpBecause.