This bill is an attack on some of our most vunerable. It would essentially make it illegal for a homeless person to camp in public places (sidewalks, buildings, etc.) or any places not designated appropriate for encampments (do those designations even exist?) Also, violators could be charged a fee, (that we know they can't afford if they are homeless) imprisoned, or whatever the court sees fit.
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit municipalities or counties from punishing unhoused people for sleeping in public, even if they have nowhere else to go. This decision is not only wrong – it will cause cascading harms that exacerbate the very issue cities claim to want to fix, by making it harder for people to get out homelessness.
Just because this ruling makes it easier for cities or states to punish people doesn't mean they should. Elected officials have always had a choice, and they can decide to invest in solutions – like safe, long-term housing, as well as wrap-around services and voluntary mental health and substance use treatment, which will increase people’s chances of obtaining employment and housing. We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness.
