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Why all the portraits of homeless people?
In 2020, the State of Tennessee made it illegal to camp on most public land in the state. On July 1, 2022, Tennessee enacted new legislation that makes camping on public property a Class E Felony, with a maximum sentence of up to 6 years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
Nashville's homeless shelters are at max capacity, so what options remain for those with nowhere to go? We document Nashville's homeless to give them a face as well as to highlight the "camping" that has been criminalized: folks sleeping out in the open because they have nowhere else to go, often in wheelchairs, on sidewalks, and in alleys where tourists have barfed or pissed. If they had another option, they would choose that. Making this a felony offense is cruel.
We hang out with Nashville's homeless, get to know them, give them money, water, and cigarettes, purchase The Contributor, and try to raise awareness and support them. If you see someone holding up a copy of The Contributor, give them $2 and take a copy of the paper and read it.
Every issue of The Contributor is made by Nashville's homeless. They purchase each copy for $0.25, sell them for $2, and pocket or reinvest the profits. Our homeless neighbors are amazing writers, poets, and artists. Every issue of The Contributor is a showcase of their talents and helps them get a leg-up on finding permanent housing. They're part of Nashville, too. They are not trash.
Tennessee's Homeless Laws In the News:
AP NEWS - Tennessee to make homeless camps on public land a felony
NPR - Tennessee is about to become the 1st state to make camping on public land a felony
LMU Law Review - Tennessee’s Approach to the Rise in Homelessness
Nashville's Homeless Resources
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