The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Friday allowing the city of Grants Pass to regulate and penalize unsheltered homelessness will undoubtedly reshape outdoor camping policies across the West. Despite the case being out of Oregon, the ruling will have a limited effect here because of a state law that provides protections for people experiencing homelessness.
The court’s decision found that Grants Pass’ policy penalizing people who sit or sleep on public property did not amount to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Importantly, the court’s six conservative justices determined it is up to the states — not the federal courts — to determine how these restrictions are made.
