In summer 2024, the Supreme Court’s ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson emboldened communities across the country to enact new measures that make sleeping in public spaces a legally punishable offense—effectively criminalizing homelessness. However, extensive research makes one […]
Category: Criminalization
The Role of Law Enforcement in Homelessness Response
In all three cases, according to local reports, these men were well known in their communities. Mr. Junkin was described as someone who would give the shirt off his back to another person in need. Mr. Kissick was never seen […]
Moving Forward After the Supreme Court Decision
In Justice Gorsuch’s opinion, he wrote that public-camping ordinances do not criminalize status, as they prohibit the actions taken by any person: whether they are experiencing homelessness, a backpacker on vacation, or a student choosing to protest on the lawn […]
The Supreme Court Rules on Homelessness: What it All Means
Specifically, the Supreme Court determined that the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit the City of Grants Pass from enforcing criminal punishments against people who are homeless for camping outside in the city. As […]
National Alliance to End Homelessness Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson
The National Alliance to End Homelessness today condemned the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. Under the ruling, localities will be able to arrest, ticket, and fine people for sleeping outdoors on […]