On Monday, April 22, the Supreme Court heard the case Johnson v. Grants Pass — a case to determine whether it is cruel and unusual punishment when communities ticket or fine unsheltered people for sleeping outside.
On Friday, June 28, the Supreme Court issued its opinion: They said it is NOT cruel and unusual to ticket, fine, or otherwise punish unsheltered people for sleeping outside, even if there are no shelter beds available. Naturally, the entire national homelessness advocacy community strongly disagrees. (See the Council’s statement here.)
New on A Closer Look: We've highlighted five positions SCOTUS took in the Johnson v. Grants Pass ruling that are particularly troubling.
But don't despair! Together we can push back against this inhumane ruling.
We outline three ways you can help in this critical moment.
Barbara DiPietro Senior Director of Policy National HCH Council bdipietro@nhchc.org
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