— The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on whether banning homeless people from sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
“Like cities nationwide, Grants Pass relies on camping laws to protect its public spaces,” Theane Evangelis, attorney for the city of Grants Pass, said to the court. “These generally applicable laws prohibit specific conduct and are essential to public health and safety.” The case comes after homelessness in the United States grew a dramatic 12% to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, according to federal data.
A cross-section of Democratic and Republican officials contend that makes it difficult for them to manage encampments, which can have dangerous and unsanitary living conditions.