How far can cities go to clear homeless camps? The U.S. Supreme Court will decide
In April, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a major case that could reshape how cities manage homelessness. The legal issue is whether they can fine or arrest people for sleeping outside if thereโs no shelter available. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has deemed this cruel and unusual punishment, and this case is a pivotal challenge to that ruling.
The high court declined to take up a similar case in 2019. But since then, homelessness rates have climbed relentlessly. Street encampments have grown larger and have expanded to new places, igniting intense backlash from residents and businesses. Homelessness and the lack of affordable housing thatโs helping to drive it have become key issues for many voters.
The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, could have dramatic implications for the record number of people living in tents and cars across the United States.
I feel conflicted, I have been noticing a homeless camp growing very close to my neighborhood and they are absolutely trashing the area, letting their dogs run loose in the streets. I want to sympathize with them but they harbor no respect for themselves or their environment.
You're surprised that people with no food, no shelter, no stability in life have poor manners? You're surprised they don't respect the society that has made them homeless and criminalized them for it?
I'm confused here. You understand this is why the left wants to give them homes food and stability, because people who lack those things are going to destroy themselves and everything around them. People who HAVE those things can often become contributing members of society in a few years.
They don't have to EARN shelter and food, we give it to them because it helps US AND THEM. It's cheaper and more ethical. Our current system pays extra to torture the homeless because people like you are "conflicted" and expect the homeless to behave themselves before we help them.
Would you respect yourself or your environment when you've been ground into the dirt? No one respects them, why should they respect anyone or anything? I don't blame them at all.
Instead of being upset about their presence, maybe do something to help them? Like try to get your town or city to house them?
I have a basic respect for the environment that everyone should have by default, regardless of their financial status. And I would do everything in my power to keep it reasonably clean if I was in a similar situation.
If the dirt is all I have, then I would find something to grow in it. Not a pile of sharps.
I understand what youโre saying, i just want to point out that drug addiction is a healthcare issue, not a personal or moral failing. Is it frustrating to see public areas being trashed? Sure, but itโs way more frustrating that the US federal government wonโt address the homeless crisis and drug addiction with the respect, funding, and urgency it deserves.
Very easy thing to say when you haven't been completely crushed under the thumb of the system so badly that you can't afford to rent a hovel even though you have a job.
How close to that situation have you ever been? Are you anywhere near close to that situation right now? It sounds like you can afford a home to live in whether you own or rent, so I'm guessing you aren't.
Vacant lots and undersides of bridges are well-known as being excellent spots for growing vegetables and fruits.
As far as them doing drugs? Perfectly justifiable for them to want to do the one thing they're able to do to either escape the situation they're in or get pain relief they can't get otherwise because they can't afford pain medication or a prescription for it in a for-profit healthcare system either. I sure as fuck would do the same thing in their situation.
Let me guess, you also don't like it that they shit and piss in public but expect them to provide their own toilets.
I have no malice towards homeless people, I just wish they kept their area clean. That is all.
Have you ever offered to help them clean it up?
Not yet, I have a roll of contractor bags they can use for their garbage, but I don't have any means to haul any full bags to the landfill. Gonna need to sort the logistics of that part out.
Sorry... you want the neighborhood cleaned up and your answer is 'give other people garbage bags?'