Overview

• 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.