The Supreme Court is hearing a case that could determine whether cities can ban homeless people from sleeping on public property. Homeless advocates argue that such penalties are cruel and unusual punishment because the homeless have no other choice, but opponents say that these encampments pose a public safety hazard. The outcome of the case could have a significant impact on cities across the country.
Homelessness is a complex issue with no easy answers. The causes of homelessness are varied, and the solutions are even more complex. However, one thing is clear: criminalizing homelessness is not the answer. In fact, it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. This issue is currently before the Supreme Court in the case of City of Grants Pass, Ore. v. Gloria Johnson. The outcome of this case could have a significant impact on the lives of homeless people across the country.
The Supreme Court will decide whether local communities can criminalize homelessness by pushing unhoused people out of sight and mind. The case has its roots in long-standing laws that have been used to uphold white supremacy and criminalize the existence of marginalized groups. Today, the causes of homelessness are complex and often involve mental health issues, substance use disorders, incarceration, and housing insecurity. Most Americans believe that homelessness is a major problem and that the government should do more to fix it. However, there is also support for policies that deter people from sleeping in public spaces and for tearing down homeless encampments. Regardless of one’s views on these policies, it is important to recognize that criminalizing homelessness is not the solution. As Chief Justice John Roberts said during oral arguments in the Grants Pass case, “It’s not a solution to say ‘we don’t want homeless people,’ so therefore we’re going to criminalize them.” True solutions to homelessness require a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of the problem and provides a range of housing and support services to those in need.
