Not really be him, but I sure would love his intellect and ability to debate. Let me tell you why.
In the past, regarding the “unsheltered” or homeless situation here in Vermont, I have repeatedly asked or stated on VDC that there are no residency or proof of residency requirements in the process of applying for social benefits and it should be made as part of the process. I had gone to the website to apply for housing and looked at the form back in June of ’23. No proof of anything was needed. Now, there were more forms to be filled once I had started the process but since I didn’t want to be fraudulent, I stopped. Well, it turns out I was wrong. Supposedly, it is unconstitutional to require proof of residency. It has been argued many times. Shapiro (not Ben) v. Thompson, 1969 and King v. New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority, 1971 among many others.
I had a discussion with our Vermont Senator Nader Hashim, D-Windham, on Monday the 8th. The Chamber of Commerce of Wilmington invited elected officials to coffee. It turned out to be a “let us tell you what wonderful things we are doing and don’t contradict us” kind of event. But that is a story for another day. Before it began, he and I chatted and I asked him about the a motto he has on his website, “Housing is a human right”. He believes if people have housing it will reduce crime and other issues. Since I didn’t know it was unconstitutional, I was schooled to this fact, and I was unable to continue discussing except to keep repeating, “rights are not tangible or material items”. Nobody has the right to a house. Eventually he conceded that everyone has the right to access housing. Which I believe they do already. But that is very different than “housing is a human right”. I have been doing a great deal of reading on rights and honestly, it’s a lot. I haven’t even “dipped a toe” metaphorically speaking and I’ve already spent close to five hours reading and searching. And a lot more to go.
What do you all think? Should someone have to prove residency before receiving benefits from a state institution?
Sources:
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/newresidents.htm
https://law.jrank.org/pages/9827/Residency-Fundamental-Rights.html