Results for: Vagrancy

The Supreme Court is set to rule on whether cities can criminalize homelessness by outlawing camping and sleeping in public. The case, City of Grants Pass, Ore. v. Gloria Johnson, could potentially erode protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Experts say the case is one of the most important related to homelessness in modern history. Data shows that homelessness has been on the rise since 2017, with Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders experiencing the highest rates. Racial disparities in homelessness are stark, with Black people experiencing rates that are more than four times higher than white people. Despite overwhelming public support for providing housing as a basic human right, there is also significant support for measures that deter people from sleeping in public spaces. The outcome of the Supreme Court case will have profound implications for the lives of tens of thousands of unhoused people across the country.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments in a case that could reshape the legal landscape surrounding homelessness in the United States. The case, City of Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson, centers on the constitutionality of ordinances that criminalize sleeping and camping in public spaces. Advocates for the homeless argue that such laws violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, while cities contend that they are necessary for public health and safety. This case has drawn attention to the deep-rooted history of anti-homeless laws in the U.S., which have often been used as tools of racial oppression. According to a recent survey, a majority of Americans believe that homelessness is a serious problem and that housing is a basic human right. However, there is significant opposition to policies that would address the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing and mental health services. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case will have a profound impact on the lives of millions of unhoused people across the country.