It’s quite a problem, that we have homeless people in our cities. It’s a problem in cities all over the world, though many groups provide shelters for the people needing them.

It’s not an easy thing though, as some of the homeless have extra needs, such as also needing shelter for their assistance dogs:

Shawnine Mackay, who often sleeps on the street near Hollywood Boulevard by lowering herself out of her wheelchair onto the ground, said she would love to be able bed down in one of Los Angeles County’s dozens of homeless shelters.

But shelter workers have repeatedly turned her away because of her dog, Molly, who is trained to help her detect and cope with seizures.

[Via : Shelters sued over ban on aid dogs - Los Angeles Times.]

The shelters are turning them away because of problems housing the dog. Some have areas for pet dogs, but the dogs may be housed some distance away, for example on another floor of the building.

Obviously that doesn’t work with assistance dogs.

On the other hand, other people in the shelter may be allergic to dogs, or afraid of them.

It’s a tricky problem, and one you’d think could be resolved, perhaps by discussing the problems and rearranging accommodation options.

However in Los Angeles:

the Housing Rights Center and the Disability Rights Legal Center filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and several shelters it funds, alleging that such bans by homeless shelters are against the law.

The Americans With Disabilities Act and fair housing laws do not allow discrimination against people just because they rely on service animals, the suit said.

This will be one to watch.