‘Criminal for existing’: US’s unhoused still fear sweeps as supreme court to take on shelter case
by Rick Paulas from US news | The Guardian on (#6JABR)
Court could weigh in on whether cities and states can shut down homeless encampments but it could also define what it means to provide shelter
In mid-January, the US supreme court agreed to reconsider the case Grants Pass v Johnson. In doing so, it could overturn a previous decision, Martin v Boise, which ruled that cities cannot punish unhoused people for violating anti-camping policies when there are no alternatives available.
That has left elected officials, advocates and, not least of all, homeless people themselves wondering whether a future high court decision will give cities more power to clear homeless settlements or if cities' responsibilities to provide for unhoused residents will be clarified.
Continue reading...