Record numbers in the US are homeless. Can cities fine them for sleeping in parks and on sidewalks?

The Associated Press ^ | April 20, 2024 | BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most significant case in decades on homelessness has reached the Supreme Court as record numbers of people in America are without a permanent place to live.

The justices on Monday will consider a challenge to rulings from a California-based appeals court that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment.

A political cross section of officials in the West and California, home to nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population, argue those decisions have restricted them from “common sense” measures intended to keep homeless encampments from taking over public parks and sidewalks.

Advocacy groups say the decisions provide essential legal protections, especially with an increasing number of people forced to sleep outdoors as the cost of housing soars.

The case before the Supreme Court comes from Grants Pass, a small city nestled in the mountains of southern Oregon, where rents are rising and there is just one overnight shelter for adults. As a growing number of tents clustered its parks, the city banned camping and set $295 fines for people sleeping there.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely blocked the camping ban under its finding that it is unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outside when there is not adequate shelter space. Grants Pass appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing the ruling left it few good options.

“It really has made it impossible for cities to address growing encampments, and they’re unsafe, unhealthy and problematic for everyone, especially those who are experiencing homelessness,” said lawyer Theane Evangelis, who is representing Grants Pass.

[Bikkuri]

I got divorced in Japan, ended up back in the states homeless because of it.
Stayed in a homeless shelter FULL of druggies and alcoholics (for $210/month, which I didn’t have, so I ended up spending 2 hours/day 6 days a week burning the bedbugs off of the bunks).
Was there long enough for USVets to pick me up. Took them a year and 1/2 to find me a place to stay.
(All of the time when I was rarely on here is when all of that was going on.)

I absolutely despise drugs (and no sympathy for users/addicts), and stopped drinking years ago (well, maybe take a sip every once in awhile, but not very often).

So, I have seen pretty much everything that has been described by everyone here and everywhere else about homeless.
BUT, not all of us are like that, although, the majority that I have seen are.

Hopefully sometime soon, I will be able to get away from this hellhole and get back to my home turf (Texas).

[Bikkuri]

Oh, with the help of Bupropion (HCL, whatever that is), I am down to 1 cigarette a day.. of course I had been smoking 3 cigs a day for a few years. Trying to totally quit now.

[Bikkuri]

That has actually crossed my mind..
Go south and take it over while they are coming north and taking our home over.

[Mears]

Bump

[no-to-illegals]

I recall a supervisor once telling me that Americans deserve and must have a “safety net”. I recall telling the supervisor, there will come a time when the “safety net” will not exist. That time has come. There does not exist a “safety net” for Americans.