Camping bans after Supreme Court ruling could worsen homelessness, experts say

Camping Bans After Supreme Court Ruling May Worsen Homelessness

Experts warn that new camping bans could exacerbate homelessness issues

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Las Vegas, Nevada, Homelessness, Supreme Court, Camping Bans

Las Vegas: The city has set up barricades at a homeless encampment. A police officer spots a man sleeping on the ground by a bus stop, wrapped in a blanket.

This officer, James Blaisure, notices the man, who is 55, while patrolling near Fremont Street. He finds out the man is unhoused and violating a new city camping ban.

Even if there aren’t enough shelter beds, the city council recently expanded the ban on camping or lodging. The officer sees a walker next to the man and unwraps his blanket, telling him he can’t sleep there.

When asked if he’s been to the nearby Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, which can hold 550 people, the man says he plans to go eventually.

This was the second warning for him in a week for camping without consent, which is a misdemeanor that could lead to a $1,000 fine. Experts believe these encounters are increasing after a Supreme Court ruling in June that allows cities to criminalize homelessness.

The National Homeless Law Center has tracked 99 new ordinances in 26 states since the ruling, making it harder for unhoused people to find safe places to sleep. Another 66 ordinances were pending at that time.

With homelessness on the rise due to factors like lack of affordable housing and low wages, advocates say these bans will only make things worse. Jesse Rabinowitz from the National Homelessness Law Center points out that none of these laws actually solve homelessness.

In California, a third of the camping bans tracked since July were passed, with Illinois following closely behind. Many officials claim they don’t intend to criminalize homelessness, but the fines can be hefty for those without homes.

In some cities, fines can reach up to $1,000, and jail time is also a possibility for repeat offenders. Las Vegas marshals have already issued citations to several unhoused individuals near Fremont Street.

One 55-year-old man faces a potential $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail after his court date in 2025. The law center reports that many of these new ordinances could lead to jail time for those arrested.

In Illinois, if someone violates camping bans more than six times in two years, they could face jail time. Some cities have made existing bans stricter since the Supreme Court ruling.

Las Vegas and other cities have updated their camping bans to allow enforcement even when shelter beds aren’t available. Officials often say they want to push people into services, but the immediate enforcement of bans shows their true priorities.

Public pressure to address homelessness is growing, especially as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported over 654,000 people experienced homelessness in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year.

Marcy Thompson from the National Alliance to End Homelessness emphasizes that the data doesn’t capture the full picture of homelessness. Many factors contribute to the crisis, including low wages and lack of affordable housing.

While the American Rescue Plan Act provided significant funding to help cities address homelessness, it wasn’t enough. As homelessness becomes more visible, there’s pressure to take action, often leading to punitive measures.

In 2023, Georgia passed a bill mandating local governments to enforce camping bans, while Tennessee allowed a similar law to take effect without a signature. Critics argue that these measures do little to solve the underlying issues.

Some states have attempted to limit punitive measures, with Arizona’s governor vetoing a bill that would criminalize camping in public spaces. However, many cities continue to adopt stricter ordinances.

After the Supreme Court ruling, Grants Pass, Oregon, restricted homeless camping to two lots, providing minimal facilities. The ruling has opened the door for cities to adopt more camping restrictions.

Jeff Olivet from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness warns that while encampments raise concerns, criminalizing homelessness is not the solution. He advocates for housing and healthcare instead of fines and arrests.

Looking ahead, former President Trump has proposed a national camping ban, suggesting the creation of tent cities for the homeless. This approach raises questions about the legal authority to criminalize homelessness at the federal level.

Thompson notes that the federal response to homelessness could change significantly under a second Trump term, potentially leading to more punitive measures. The direction of federal agencies could also impact how homelessness is addressed.

Despite concerns about a harsher approach under Trump, Tars points out that some Democratic leaders are also adopting similar stances. California’s Governor Newsom recently ordered state agencies to clear encampments deemed a threat to safety.

While Newsom claims he’s not forcibly removing people, the directive could push more unhoused individuals into the criminal justice system. The effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.yahoo.com/news/camping-bans-supreme-court-ruling-113020383.html