The Supreme Court is considering whether U.S. cities can ban unhoused people from sleeping outside and issue fines or arrest them for doing so. The case has thrust homelessness into the spotlight and what leads to people 'sleeping rough'.

Washington

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating a pivotal case that questions the legality of prohibiting unhoused individuals from sleeping in public spaces, amidst a backdrop of increasing homelessness rates across the nation. This case, considered the most consequential to face the high court regarding homelessness in years, examines whether cities hold the right to fine or arrest people for sleeping outdoors.

In a homeless encampment situated deep in the woods outside Winter Haven, 46 individuals, including a 32-year-old named Brandi who has resided there for five years, face the potential loss of their makeshift homes. Brandi shared her plight, emphasizing the encampment's role as a vital refuge, albeit not the safest, where she and others like her can find a place to rest. The looming threat of eviction from these sites underscores the urgency and gravity of the Supreme Court's decision.

Advocates against the proposed bans argue that penalizing outdoor sleeping acts to criminalize homelessness rather than address the underlying issues. They highlight the lack of safe and sanitary conditions within encampments, yet point to the acute shortage of alternative housing options. Organizations such as Talbot House, represented by case management supervisor Angelina Lagon, and the Homeless Coalition of Polk County, underscore the critical need for more affordable housing solutions over punitive measures.

The debate sheds light on the dire circumstances faced by the homeless population, as exemplified by the individuals living in the Winter Haven encampment. They express a feeling of being disregarded by society, with one resident reflecting on the dehumanizing effect of their situation. As the Supreme Court's decision looms, those impacted by homelessness and their advocates await a ruling that could fundamentally reshape the approach to managing homelessness in U.S. cities.



U.S. considers banning 'homelessness' in key case

deep in the woods, just outside of Winter Haven are a cluster of tents and tarps. There are 46 people that live in this homeless encampment, including Brandi, who's been here for five years. I just made a mistake and I've been stuck here since I'm trying to fix it. I can't. The 32 year old tells me the homeless camp is not the safest environment, but it's somewhere she can lay her head at night. Yet it could be taken away. They tell us, you know, you're fixing to have to leave, right? And we're like, okay, so where do we go? The Supreme Court is considering whether cities can ban unhoused people from sleeping outside and issue fines or arrest them for doing so. It's the most significant case dealing with homelessness to go before the high court in decades. It comes amid a rise in homelessness in the U. S. And a growing number of encampments. People living in this camp tell me they shouldn't be punished just for sleeping outside. What if they was in the same position? They don't think that way because the way I see it, as long as you're sleeping somewhere and you're not robbing the place and busting their windows, they should be left alone. Supporters of the band say encampments are unsafe and unsanitary. Staff from Talbot House visit this encampment every other week, handing out water, food and toiletries. The case management supervisor, Angelina Lagon, tells me the Lakeland homeless shelter is over capacity. They have nowhere to go. Um, so as far as them having to leave out of the encampment, the question is, where can they go from here? Because, like I said, they have nowhere to go. We have emergency shelter at our place where we've offered them to come to advocacy groups like the Homeless Coalition of Polk County argue public sleeping bans will criminalize homelessness and ultimately make the crisis worse housing instead of, you know, handcuffs. We need more affordable housing, and, um, we're not gonna win it by having our homeless individuals arrested or fined. The court is expected to decide the case by the end of June. Meanwhile, people experiencing homelessness can't help but feel discarded. We just don't matter. It kind of hurts, makes us feel like we're trash. We're not. I'm Rebecca Petit for Scripps News.

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