Many more cities ban sleeping outside despite a lack of shelter space

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s City of Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling last June allowing localities to ban outdoor camping even if there is no homeless shelter space available, roughly 150 cities in 32 states have passed or strengthened such ordinances.

Another 40 or so local bans are pending, according to data sent to Stateline by the National Homelessness Law Center. The measures vary in detail, but they typically include prohibitions on camping, sleeping or storing property on public land. Many also include buffer zones near schools, parks or businesses.

Bans often allow for steep fines and jail time. In Indio, California, for example, people caught camping illegally could face a penalty of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The ordinance in Fresno, California, bans sitting, lying, sleeping or camping on public property anytime, anywhere, with a penalty of up to a year in jail. Elmira, New York, includes sleeping in vehicles in its camping ban.

Housing advocates and experts anticipate the surge in camping bans to continue in 2025. Supporters of the bans argue that homeless encampments endanger nearby residents and businesses. Critics say the prohibitions will just criminalize visible street homelessness and move it somewhere else.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/01/27/many-more-cities-ban-sleeping-outside-despite-a-lack-of-shelter-space/

[newdeal2]

1. Having lived in both San Francisco and LA

It's not an easy situation to deal with, even in wealthy, liberal places. Local politicians are feeling the heat from voters on crime & safety issues.

[Voltaire2]

2. Make it illegal to be homeless is apparently 'common sense'.

[lame54]

3. Not a problem solver

[Kid Berwyn]

4. It's easier to ban homeless than to solve homelessness, so...

...nothing is gonna get done by the greedheads.

I live in metro Detroit and can watch CBC television. Night before last, the Windsor news described how the city had just received funds needed to help deal with homeless people making a transition from addiction and other challenges will have new beds and treatment facilities. The report made clear these beds would not replace beds and facilities that are currently available for homeless and addicts, but were in addition with the current level of care.

Contrast that with what we face in the USA. My mom-and-pop outfit paid for our health care insurance over the last 30 years -- looking at the numbers, about 30 percent of what we brought in. That is about what our federal and state taxes take. Healthcare and housing costs make life a lot tougher here in the megalopolis north of Canada.

[surfered]

5. But if they arrest someone for doing that, don't they have to take them to jail?

[patricia92243]

6. If I were sleeping out in the cold, I'd be saying please, please, please arrest me

and put me in a warm cell.

[Vinca]

7. So if there's no space inside and you're not allowed outside, what exactly do they expect people to do?