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The Supreme Court is set to decide on the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson case by June 30th. This case marks the first major #homelessness related decision since the 1980s, determining the constitutionality of penalizing individuals for sleeping outdoors on public property in communities with insufficient #affordablehousing or shelter. “While people enduring homelessness often face serious challenges—joblessness, health problems, domestic abuse, racial discrimination—placing them rapidly into a permanent home with supportive services is the most effective way of keeping them permanently off the streets. A 2021 study showed that prioritizing housing with services decreased homelessness by 88%. It's also a good investment. An independent CDC panel found that for every dollar invested in such #housing, taxpayers realize $1.44 in savings.” Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3VLCUyS

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in the landmark Johnson v. Grants Pass case, which could significantly reshape laws around criminalizing homelessness across the country, including here in Texas. In this article, my colleague Sam Foss explores the implications of this case and underscores the urgent need for systemic solutions to protect the rights and dignity of those experiencing homelessness. As Foss states, "Criminalization is not a solution to homelessness." Read the full piece to gain insights into: - The history and background of the Johnson v. Grants Pass case. - The disproportionate impact of criminalization on Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities. - How criminalization policies exacerbate health risks and mortality among the unhoused. - Effective strategies like Housing First, rent assistance, and just-cause eviction protections. - The importance of investing in affordable housing and homeless crisis response systems. As we await the Court's decision, this article reminds us that homelessness is a housing issue, not a crime. By embracing compassionate, housing-focused approaches, we can promote lasting change and uphold the human rights of our most vulnerable neighbors. https://lnkd.in/gCtfTeT5 #HousingJustice #SupremeCourt #JohnsonvGrantsPass

Yesterday's #JohnsonVGrantsPass case discussed various questions related to criminalizing homelessness. However, it should push us to reflect on the resources & investments needed to truly support those living without homes. Read my article just published in the Connecticut Mirror- https://lnkd.in/ePrWx2bg

Today, April 22nd the #SupremeCourt heard the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. This case, originating from my hometown deals with a number of ordinances within the #GrantsPass Municipal Code which criminalizes homelessness. Its constitutionality is being challenged on the basis of the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment. I write today standing with the appellees of this case, and against the City of Grants Pass. The city's ordinances are indeed unconstitutional, as the city has on a multitude of occasions failed to prioritize services and programs that would prevent and aid its residents in finding adequate housing, in addition to lacking accountability. The impacts of this case will be significant, as lawmakers and citizens across the nation look to its ruling. In the event of The City of Grants Pass' victory, the criminalization of homelessness will spread nationwide, impacting lives permanently and in turn furthering the United States' already difficult housing crisis. While this post lacks the depth I would like to cover, I encourage all who read this to further educate yourself, your family, and your peers about the root causes of homelessness, and productive solutions, while centering empathy in it all. Below, I have linked resources to learn more about the case, including its oral argument. #IStandWithJohnson https://lnkd.in/gcbY3hy8 https://lnkd.in/gsFjtSUq https://lnkd.in/gKKDz4YM

Take a moment to read (or listen to) this piece by Dr. Tiffany Manuel as she shares about SCOTUS hearing of Grants Pass v. Johnson and changing the narrative around criminalizing homelessness. She offers some guidance in her approach, by taking an alternative path. "Our alternative is to take this opportunity to talk in a different way to the people who are watching—the bystanders who don’t know why they should care enough to get involved—and tell them how they can respond. We won’t just talk about how awful homelessness is, and how terrible criminalizing it can be. Instead, we’ll use the conversations that we’ll be having with reporters all over this country in the coming weeks to create an echo chamber of people making the case for what we really want. That’s abundant housing options for everyone in our nation, starting with those who are unhoused and most in need!" Her insight continues with some examples of language to use in conversation: "Frame the conversation we should be having. Tell people we have solutions. Say this early and often to stop people from saying "We have to find solutions …" Show your resolve and commitment. And underscore why those on the side of housing justice will win. " Here's how this sounds: "The smartest investment we can make is showing our unhoused neighbors that they are loved and cared for—and we do that through our compassionate response to their hardship using thoughtful solutions that cosign our compassion and get a roof over their heads as quickly as possible. Those solutions aren’t always easy but they exist, they work, and they are often less destructive and less costly than what we see playing out today." "This should never be a conversation about whether we should destroy the makeshift tents that people have tried to make into homes in our streets or about forcing people into places that make them feel even more vulnerable. The conversation we NEED to have is: How do we get everyone in our communities involved in solving homelessness? And how can we get our communities to commit to abundant housing options for all?" "The Supreme Court’s decision later this year won’t change the decision I have made. Knowing the justices are considering this case only increases my resolve to bring more neighbors to this fight. And here’s why we will win: Every person in my community is asking for more abundant housing options. That’s where the common ground and energy is!" #Homelessness #Housing #afutureofabundance

The Supreme Court overturned the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. The ruling makes it easier to fine, ticket, or arrest people for sleeping outdoors, even if elected officials have failed to produce sufficient shelter or housing for everyone in the community who needs it. In the wake of this decision, the Alliance continues to publish resources and guidance 👇 https://lnkd.in/grz9bDX6. Advocacy at the local level is important now more than ever, as local elected officials will have the most impact on how a locality responds to homelessness. We must ensure they know that tickets and arrests are costly and counterproductive, and that the most effective way to end a person’s homelessness is connecting them to permanent housing and supportive services. How you can help 👇 https://lnkd.in/g3gcDCBh #NAEH2024 #EndHomelessness #BeLikeMike #Prevention #Diversion #FlexFunding #SCOTUS #JohnsonVGrantsPass #HousingFirst #HousingIsHealthcare

🚨 A small Oregon town’s homeless crisis is front and center in a landmark Supreme Court case. The ruling, set for April 22, could reshape how cities across the U.S. handle homelessness. This isn’t just a legal debate—it’s about protecting the constitutional rights of those without shelter. Pathways to Housing PA and 36 other organizations have signed onto an amicus brief filed by CSH, the Source for Housing Solutions, supporting the Ninth Circuit's decision to uphold the U.S. Constitution by prohibiting communities from fining or arresting people for merely sleeping outside when they have no access to shelter. The decision will have ripple effects nationwide, impacting thousands who struggle with homelessness. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eunfNesp

The National Coalition on Housing Justice (NCHJ) has issued a statement on the USICH Encampment Guidance. Overall, the statement both acknowledges the affirming strategies outlined by USICH (US Interagency Council on Homelessness) to address encampments as well as those that can be interpreted by localities to continue and pursue harm and criminalization against an already-marginalized community (including youth). We are deeply saddened by the latter, but understand that this means that we simply have a great deal of worthwhile work ahead of us as those who work to end and prevent homelessness. To read the entire statement by either NCHJ or USICH visit the links below or check our bio for links. NCHJ Statement:  https://lnkd.in/e7N_84JR USICH Guidance: https://lnkd.in/enyvSu_m #endyouthhomelessness #sotm #homeless #homelessyouth #housingisahumanright Funders Together to End Homelessness

🔑 As #SCOTUS prepares to rule on #JohnsonVGrantsPass, it’s crucial to remember that criminalizing homelessness is not a solution. In her Salon op-ed, Rachelle A. Matthews, Policy and Advocacy Operations Manager at Community Solutions, highlights the need for comprehensive, data-driven approaches and affordable housing to address the root causes of homelessness. Cities have shown that investing in housing-first programs can lead to significant reductions in homelessness. It’s time for all cities to adopt these proven strategies.#HomelessnessIsSolvable https://bit.ly/4aZJuYj

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to take up the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson to determine whether if, under our Constitution, a local government can make it a crime to involuntarily live outside and unsheltered, when adequate shelter is not available. Let's breakdown what's next: ⚖ Timeline: National and local advocates will file amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs over the next few months, and a hearing will be held in late April with oral arguments from both sides. The Supreme Court will then make its decision, probably in June or July (although it could be sooner). ⚖ Impacts: In this case, the Supreme Court has the ability, by ruling in favor of the unsheltered people who brought the case, to affirm that everyone in the community is valued, and that the legitimate role of local government is to make room for everyone, in decent conditions, not pick out certain people to lock up or drive out. On the other hand, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the City of Grants Pass, the Court could make the problem of homelessness much worse. ⚖ What Criminalization Won’t Do: What criminalization won’t do is end unsheltered homelessness. Until humane shelter, housing, and services are made available, people will still sleep outside. ⚖ What the Alliance Will Be Doing: The Alliance will be filing a “friend of the court” brief to help the Supreme Court understand the realities of homelessness and workable, cost-effective solutions. We’ll be using attention created by the case to educate public about the same things. And we’ll be preparing so that however the Court rules, we can help and encourage communities to minimize bad practices and maximize good – so that people experiencing homelessness can attain the housing they deserve. Read more from the National Alliance to End Homelessness: #endhomelessness #scotus https://lnkd.in/ed4jTX7e