Supreme Court Ruling Spurs New Homelessness Policies Across U.S.

The decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson empowers cities to enforce camping bans, igniting debates on the best approaches to address homelessness.

The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision overturns a previous ruling that restricted anti-camping laws in the Western U.S.
Cities now have the authority to impose stricter measures on public camping, but state laws like Oregon's still limit these actions.
California officials are divided, with some supporting the ruling for its clarity and others concerned about criminalizing homelessness.
Historical evidence suggests enforcement-first strategies may exacerbate homelessness, while housing-first approaches show more promise.
Local and state governments must balance enforcement with providing adequate shelter and services to effectively address homelessness.