Hate Crimes Against The Homeless America’s Growing Tide of Violence August, 2010

by Leroy Skalstad, formerly homeless Vietnam veteran

A Report From

National Coalition for the Homeless

2 | Hate Crimes Against the Homeless

A Report From

National Coalition for the Homeless www.nationalhomeless.org Acknowledgement Many thanks to the staff, fellows, interns and volunteers at the National Coalition for the Homeless for preparing this report

Special Thanks Donna Leuchten, Bill Emerson Hunger Fellow, Congressional Hunger Center Benjamin Sisko, Student Intern, Roger Williams University, class of 2011 Phil York, Student Intern, Marietta College, class of 2010 Marianna Nicolaije, Student Intern, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, class of 2010 Brian Levin, Dir., Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism, CA State University, San Bernardino Sean Cononie, Lois Cross & Mark Targett, Homeless Voice, COSAC Foundation, Hollywood, FL Adam C. Sloane, Esq. Mayer, Brown, Rowe, & Maw LLP Presbyterian Church, USA Small Church & Community Ministry Office Leroy Skalstad, Cover Photo Zachary Smith, Student Intern, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, class of 2011 Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Michael Stoops, Director of Community Organizing, National Coalition for the Homeless Neil J. Donovan, Executive Director, National Coalition for the Homeless

National Coalition for the Homeless wishes to thank the additional research support provided by its contributing national members.

National Coalition for the Homeless

3 | Hate Crimes Against the Homeless

The National Coalition for the Homeless The National Coalition for the Homeless, founded in 1982, works to bring about social change necessary to prevent and end homelessness and to protect the rights of people experiencing homelessness. NCH achieves this by engaging our membership in policy advocacy, capacity building, and sharing solutions to homelessness with the greater community. NCH is a national network of people who are currently or formerly homeless, activists and advocates, service providers, and others committed to ending homelessness. NCH is committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness and working to meet the immediate needs of people who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Senior Management and Staff Washington, DC Office Neil J. Donovan

Michael Stoops

Megan Hustings

Executive Director

Director of Community Organizing

Director of Development

Bob Reeg

Joan Davis

Jacob Reiter

Director of Public Policy

Administrative Assistant

Director of Speakers’ Bureau

National Field Staff Phillip Banze

Jessica Figueroa

AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader (Macon, GA)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Orlando, FL)

Carl Baty

John Flannery

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Baltimore, MD)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Fort Lauderdale)

Daniel Brantley

Devin Floyd

AmeriCorps*VISTA (New Port Richey, FL)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Miami, FL)

Chelsea Carnes

Claudine Forbes

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Gainesville, FL)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Atlanta,GA)

Tracey Crocker

Linda Gaines

AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader (Tampa, FL)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Bradenton, FL)

Eryn Dailey-Demby

Princess Gaye

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Atlanta, GA)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Tallahassee, FL)

Margaret Djekovic

Matthew Gazy

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Tampa, FL)

Jacqueline Dowd AmeriCorps*VISTA (Orlando, FL)

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Macon, GA)

Lynne Griever AmeriCorps*VISTA (Athens, GA)

National