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11mo ago

Supreme Court Ruling on Anti-Camping Laws Faces Backlash from Homeless Advocates

The decision permits local governments to enforce public camping bans, complicating efforts to address homelessness effectively.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: A person passes an encampment of unhoused people in the Skid Row community on June 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that cities can ban people, including those who are homeless, from camping and sleeping outdoors in public places, overturning lower court rulings. Skid Row is home to thousands of people who are either experiencing homelessness on the streets or living in shelters.
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Overview

  • Advocates argue the ruling will exacerbate homelessness by imposing fines and jail time on those with no shelter options.
  • Local governments may increase enforcement of anti-camping laws despite a shortage of shelter beds.
  • Critics highlight the ruling's potential to criminalize homelessness and overlook mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • The decision reverses a previous court ruling that protected homeless individuals from penalties when no shelter was available.
  • Efforts to find long-term solutions for homelessness may be hindered by the ruling's focus on punitive measures.