TL/DR –
The U.S Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban homeless people from sleeping outside, siding with an Oregon town and determining that such a ban does not qualify as cruel or unusual punishment. Phoenix will be able to legally enforce its urban camping ordinance which targets homeless encampments and in two months, it will be illegal for individuals to camp within 500 feet of a school, childcare facility, or city-owned park in the city. Critics of the ruling, including civil rights attorney Ben Taylor and Phillips Scharf, the CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), have expressed concerns over the criminalization of homelessness and the potential for exacerbating the housing crisis, as Phoenix’s 2,700 homeless population far exceeds its shelter bed availability.
U.S. Supreme Court Backs Ban on Homeless Sleeping Outdoors
In a significant ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that cities have the authority to forbid homeless individuals from sleeping outside, siding with an Oregon town and ruling that such prohibitions do not constitute cruel or unusual punishment. This decision allows cities such as Phoenix, which will soon make it illegal to camp within 500 feet of a school, childcare facility, or city park, to enforce laws against urban camping.
Homelessness Crisis in Phoenix
The latest Point In Time Count reveals that Phoenix has approximately 2,700 homeless residents. With only 1,000 existing shelter beds and plans to add 800 more, the city is far from meeting the immediate need for shelter. Civil rights attorney Ben Taylor fears that the recent ruling could exacerbate the homelessness crisis by essentially criminalizing it.
Impact of the Ruling
According to Taylor, the impact of this ruling could be detrimental for those who can’t afford their rent or fines. This could result in a vicious cycle of jail time and homelessness for those struggling to secure housing. The CEO of CASS, Phillips Scharf, shares this concern, stating that penalizing the homeless could worsen the crisis and make it even more difficult for those with criminal records to secure housing.
Future Actions
Discussions between CASS, city, and state officials are ongoing. Arizona providers will be meeting with state representatives at the National Alliance on Ending Homelessness on July 10 to potentially shift their focus towards the criminalization of homelessness. The city of Phoenix, in response to the Supreme Court decision, emphasised its commitment to using services to tackle homelessness rather than criminalizing it.
The City is committed to its work in ending homelessness and recognizes that it requires comprehensive solutions such as affordable housing and prevention supports. The City will continue working diligently to create sustainable solutions for our community as a whole.
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