What the Grants Pass decision forgot
August 1, 2024
The Supreme Court has ruled on Grants Pass, Oregon vs. Johnson. Their decision makes it easier for communities across the country to enforce their “public camping” laws to arrest, fine or ticket unsheltered residents who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of whether adequate shelter is available to them. Although public camping laws also include “backpackers on vacation” or “a student who abandons their dorm room to camp out in protest”, most people affected by this decision are those who are facing homelessness and have nowhere else to go.
Most of the ruling focused on individuals who are experiencing homelessness, but what about the population served by Bridge of Hope? We know statistically, the majority of families served by Bridge of Hope are not living in encampments or sleeping outside, but sometimes families are living in their car, a tent or an abandoned building.
The 74-page decision, barely mentions the words, family, families or children. There were exactly four times when the words family/families [living in this situation] were used. All of them in the dissenting argument section. The word children was mentioned only once, in the context of children in the neighborhood who would have to walk past an encampment.
How were families with children not considered in this ruling? What will the impact be? Will families be torn apart when the parents are arrested, furthering their trauma? Will more funds be used for incarceration rather than increasing housing affordability and availability of supportive services?
Thankfully communities will not be required to enforce this ruling and can focus their resources on solving homelessness. If you’d like to help your community choose this direction, the National Low Income Housing Coalition has put together a great tool kit with resources to contact your elected officials and to spread awareness.
Thank you for your work in assuring that families find safe and sustainable housing, attain strength and resiliency and are supported through Neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ’s love.
Gratefully,
Anne Dunnenberger
Director of Outreach