Rashida Tlaib's new 'Unhoused Bill of Rights' would protect homeless camping

The "Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights" calls for government-led intervention to end homelessness over the next three years and introduces more than a dozen protections for homeless people.

Under the resolution, homeless individuals would have the "right to uninhibited access" to public parks, transportation, facilities, sidewalks, buildings, restrooms and other spaces - meaning they could legally set up camp in such public spaces.

The homeless population would also be given the right to internet access and the necessary technology to achieve that.

A spokesperson for Tlaib did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment regarding how that provision would work in practice.

While the resolution is nonbinding, meaning it does not carry the force of law, Tlaib's recommendations indicate how the left could push for changes to homeless policy if Democrats retake power in Washington after the 2026 midterms.

Tlaib's proposal would, however, grant the homeless population "freedom from harassment" by law enforcement, private businesses, property owners and "housed residents."

Specifically, homeless individuals would be given protections against "banishment" from private property, which the Michigan Democrat's measure characterizes as a violation of an individual's "fundamental civil and human rights."

Tlaib's measure sharply criticizes state and local governments that have banned "panhandling, loitering, sleeping in tents or vehicles," among other activities associated with the homeless population.

The resolution also directs the federal government to achieve a long-shot goal of ending the "unhoused crisis" by 2029.

Her resolution does not specify what the nearly 20% of annual defense spending would be used for. 

"Having access to a safe place to live is a human right," Tlaib said in a statement upon introducing the legislation. "Every year, Congress passes another record-breaking military budget, and President Trump just requested a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget this year. Experts say it would cost a fraction of this to end homelessness in our country."

Tlaib's measure is similar to a resolution first introduced by former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., in 2021. Bush, a one-time member of "the Squad," is mounting a comeback bid to reclaim her St. Louis-based House seat in November's midterm elections.