The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities have the right to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors.
The ruling was rooted in a ban on outdoor sleeping in public in Grants Pass, Oregon. A San Francisco-based appeals court decision determined that a municipal ban on outdoor sleeping ran afoul of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
However, the court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines in determining that bans were not unconstitutional.
“Homelessness is complex,” wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch for the majority ruling. “Its causes are many. So may be the public policy responses required to address it. A handful of federal judges cannot begin to ‘match’ the collective wisdom the American people possess in deciding ‘how best to handle’ a pressing social question like homelessness.”
In the dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor pointed out that Grant Pass, which has no shelters for its homeless people, either fined or jailed people who slept in public.
“Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime,” she wrote. “For some people, sleeping outside is their only option. For people with no access to shelter, that punishes them for being homeless. That is unconscionable and unconstitutional.”
Photo: Srdjanns74 / iStock
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There are shelters for the homeless. Unfortunately, many of them prefer to do drugs and keep weapons so they cannot go to a shelter. That does not give them any right to camp out on a sidewalk. it is completely absurd that anyone feels that they can simply pitch a tent someone and live there.
Can you not read? The town of Grants Pass has no shelter. Thus any homeless individual in that town have no place to go, regardless of habits or personal preferences.
Society doesn’t owe you anything simply because you’re breathing the same air as the rest of us. The problem, RobertB, is that you want to reward bad behavior. “But j don’t wanna go to college. I don’t wanna stay away from drugs. I wanna do whatever I damn well want whenever I damn well please. And if I can’t or don’t want to get a job to pay for housing or food or healthcare, screw it! RobertB will save me.” And it goes double for illegal aliens. No, RobertB, “personal preference” should have no part in solving homelessness. That comes much earlier and is a root cause.
I love it when people say that society doesn’t owe us as people anything.
That would mean that your society doesn’t owe you equal rights, affordable legal representation, laws against being arrested for no just cause. Should I go on?
It’s so easy for certain types of people to say that society doesn’t owe anyone anything. The only reason you say this is because you don’t like having to concern yourself with the problem. You must feel pretty secure in you’re financial situation.
Let me guess you’ve never lost everything and had no one to turn to.
Instead of criticizing, you should feel very blessed.
Life changes. Pray that you never find yourself in their shoes.
Even the Bible says to take care of the needy and hungry. There are people unable to work or do life well enough to support themselves in every society. I feel bad for these people. What a sad life it must be.
In final words, I will say go jump into your big expensive car and 4,000 sq ft home and go on yet another vacation. We don’t need your comments.
Dude…you were doing so good until you played your “illegal alien” card. The FACTS are that most immigrants are not homeless, do not abuse drugs or alcohol, seek gainful employment at jobs that many of us will not do, and generally make our country more productive & successful. But keep on living in your bigoted world if it makes you feel better.
Much homelessness is a mental health issue. In Michigan, homelessness spiked when Gov. Engler, in his eternal wisdom, closed mental health hospitals, unhousing the residents and leaving them without options. We need to be more caring as a society and figure out ways to give those with mental illness a hand up and help toward recovery. Shame on anyone for being harsh on the mentally ill.
I almost agreed with you until you mentioned illegal aliens. Are there illegal aliens who don’t like to work? I’m sure there are plenty, and so are there citizens who don’t. Just because a person was born within a geographical border doesn’t make them more or less of a person. Most illegal aliens are ready to work hard to make it in life. So I would be careful generalizing 10 million people based on your experience with 10.
Many times there are not enough shelters…what then for people not on drugs or living wreck less. What are they to do???
“Grant Pass, which has no shelters for its homeless people”
I agree! Many have choices other than sleeping in public (I realize not all do). I don’t feel I should have to accommodate the ‘lifestyle’ some have chosen.
I am confident living on the street and sleeping on a bench is not a “lifestyle choice”.
OMG!!!! HYPOCRITES!!! SEND MONEY TO SUPPORT A WAR AND OTHER COUNTRIES AND CANNOT HANDLE HOMELESSNESS IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY. SHAME ON YOU!!
Be like Snake Plissken and escape blue cities. If you can’t see what the progressives are up to, you should stay in your blue city. Then again, they let 60 million helpless illegals in so where are they supposed to sleep?
The supreme court is not so supreme! They are real right basic!! So what do they suggest the people do? A lot of people are a few checks to from being homeless! What a sad world we live in!
I encountered hundreds and perhaps thousands of homeless people while serving as a Police Officer in both Southern California and Central California. The vast majority were those on alcohol and/or drugs, who deliberately chose to remain on the streets. I had available shelters, homeless centers and even religious facilities willing to help, it was 98% no, they only wanted to remain on the streets. What is the solution, how do you convince those who have basically dropped out of society, to re-enter for their own health and safety? It was frustrating, sad and long term, did not find a way to help them help themselves, with the available resources for them.
Amazing that no one has found a good solution yet. Thank you for your service!
As a mindful citizen committed to creating a better community, I believe that addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simply providing housing. It is crucial to consider the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness, such as mental health and addiction.
Implementing a tiered program for individuals experiencing homelessness.
1.) Those struggling with addiction or mental problems should be required to participate and graduate from a mandatory rehabilitation or psychiatric program before being considered for
Implementing a tiered program for individuals experiencing homelessness. Those struggling with addiction or Mental issues should be required to
1.) participate & graduate from a rehabilitation program
2.) they learn life skills: personal hygiene, time management, household financial skills, home maintenance.
3.) learn a job skill that can help get them a job
4.) then placement into housing with job
This type of program will not only address their immediate needs but also help them reintegrate into society as functional and contributing members.
Additionally, housing should be reserved for those facing financial difficulties who are actively working towards self-sufficiency. By prioritizing individuals who are committed to improving their circumstances, we can create a safer and healthier environment for all members of the community.
Let us work together to support those in need while also ensuring the well-being of our community as a whole. By implementing thoughtful and sustainable solutions, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society for all.
I believe that we do not have the right to judge other people until we have walked in their shoes. This city had NO shelters? A lot of people are just a paycheck away from being homeless, bad things happen to Good people. Hopefully all the people that are so quick to judge will never find themselves in need of any help.