Supreme Court Revisits Public Sleeping Ban in Landmark Homelessness Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing whether criminalizing public sleeping constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, with significant implications for urban policy and homeless rights.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on a Grants Pass ordinance that criminalizes sleeping in public without available shelter, revisiting the broader issue of homelessness and public space use.
Cities like Phoenix support the ordinance, arguing for clarity and authority to enforce public camping bans despite shelter shortages.
Previous rulings, such as Martin v. Boise by the Ninth Circuit, prohibited punishing homeless individuals for sleeping in public when no shelter alternatives exist.
Advocates argue that such laws target vulnerable populations unfairly, while opponents claim they are necessary for public health and safety.
A decision, expected in July, could redefine the balance between individual rights and municipal powers in managing homelessness.