US states are passing "very concerning" anti-homeless laws which see rough sleepers charged $750 (£630) for sleeping in public parks.
On January 1, Missouri, US, passed a new law that makes it a crime for any homeless person to sleep on a state property after the proposal was signed off by Missouri’s governor, Mike Parson, last June.
Anyone living on the street sleeping under highways and in park benches could face the fines or up to 15 days in prison.
The new Republican-backed measure has outraged many homeless charities who are appalled at officers enforcing the new law.
Kathy Connors, executive director of Gateway180 Homeless Services, said the law is generating worry amongst the most vulnerable.
She said: "It's definitely going to extend and stress resources that are available, particularly in the area of outreach. It's just going to create much more stress on the system."
It has also been criticised by mental health director, Valerie Huhn, who was appointed by Parson, after she expressed her concern.
She said in a letter to the governor on May 2022: "When people experiencing homelessness have criminal justice histories, it is difficult to find housing."
Sarah Owsley, advocacy director for the non-profit Empower Missouri, said government funding into homelessness has decreased and doesn't believe his new measure will help.
She said: “We’re going to see less money into the homeless services community over this length of time. And so that’s very concerning, we’re already an extremely underfunded resource.”
In addition to Missouri, other states in America have signed off laws targeting homeless people with fines or jail time.
Officials across different cities have been met with a fierce backlash after attempting to remove homeless people or restrict where they can live outside.
Los Angeles city council passed measures in August to ban homeless camps within 500ft of schools and daycares which has allowed police to issue fines and move on rough sleepers.
The move comes after moving homeless people from the streets into hotels during Covid ended.
Tyler Renner, a spokesperson for People Assisting the Homeless, said the move will make it difficult for rough sleepers to trust outside help.
He said at the time of the vote: “ Enforcement of anti-camping ordinances ... only displaces people and makes it harder for trained outreach staff to establish trust again.”
Back in November, Chicago ordered tents donated for homeless people to be removed for street cleaning.
The move saw protesters march through the streets of Chicago in protest against the announcement as the city later revealed the tents did not have to be ripped down but could be moved.
