Jesse Riggin is a resident of Dover.
Living in Dover, I appreciate the intent behind House Bill 135 and the concern for individuals experiencing homelessness. However, good intentions alone do not make good policy. This bill, as written, introduces significant legal, financial and practical risks, while failing to address the root causes of homelessness in Delaware.
First, proponents claim that HB 135 would reduce strain on emergency services, hospitals and the criminal justice system. Yet there is no clear evidence presented to support this outcome. In contrast, the bill explicitly waives sovereign immunity, exposing both the state and municipalities to potentially significant and incalculable legal liability. This is not a minor technical adjustment; it is a fundamental shift that could result in costly litigation. At a time when many local governments already operate under tight budgets, introducing open-ended legal exposure is fiscally irresponsible.
Second, HB 135 removes barriers associated with homelessness without addressing the barriers that lead to homelessness. There is a critical distinction between alleviating suffering and inadvertently normalizing the conditions that cause it. By limiting enforcement mechanisms without simultaneously expanding access to employment, mental health services, addiction treatment and affordable housing, the bill risks diverting already scarce public resources away from meaningful, long-term solutions.
Third, homelessness should not be criminalized — on that point, there is broad agreement. However, the moral argument against criminalization does not automatically justify creating a legal obligation or financial burden on taxpayers to support policies that lack accountability or measurable outcomes. Compassion must be paired with responsibility. Public policy should aim to reduce homelessness — not merely accommodate it.
Fourth, legislation like HB 135 risks crossing an important line: from supporting individuals in crisis to enabling the continuation of deeply harmful living conditions. True compassion does not accept prolonged instability as an end point. It seeks to restore dignity through pathways to independence — employment, treatment and stable housing.
Finally, as a citizen of Dover, I urge our state and local leaders to focus on tangible, evidence-based solutions. Delaware is facing rising costs of living and a shifting job market — factors that are directly contributing to homelessness. We should prioritize:
These are not easy fixes, but they are real solutions.
HB 135 may be well intentioned, but it falls short where it matters most: outcomes. Delawareans deserve policies that do more than signal compassion; we need policies that deliver results.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
