A U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the rights of homeless residents is already having an impact on 海角换妻鈥檚 homeless population, housing advocates say.
The court sided with the city of , which created an ordinance making it illegal to sleep outside.
Homeless residents were ticketed, arrested and encampments were destroyed, despite there being insufficient shelter space in the city.
Police in some of 海角换妻's shoreline communities, including Bridgeport, have already become emboldened by the ruling, according to David Rich, chief executive officer of Bridgeport-based housing advocacy group, the Housing Collective.
鈥淲ith the Grants Pass decision we鈥檙e already hearing of police being more forceful and moving people on,鈥� Rich said. 鈥淭hat's not quite the level of criminalizing or providing tickets, but it鈥檚 certainly somewhat the same results of forcing people out.鈥�
The court didn鈥檛 criminalize homelessness; rather, it allowed communities to pass local laws criminalizing homelessness, Rich said.
There are no such ordinances in 海角换妻, but the court鈥檚 decision set the stage for similar ones to be approved.
鈥淭here鈥檚 certainly momentum throughout the country,鈥� Rich said. 鈥淸It] could be working in that way when it emboldens communities to do what they wouldn't have thought of before.鈥�
Rich said 海角换妻 has a good start on implementing the right programming when it comes to combating homelessness.
鈥淲hat's lacking is the access to safe, affordable housing, and we have to put that singular focus into preserving what we have and building far more affordable housing for all,鈥� Rich said.
The Supreme Court found it was and unusual punishment to create a law enabling law enforcement officials to fine or arrest residents for sleeping outdoors.
Six Justices voted in favor of Grants Pass, while three voted in favor of the residents who filed the lawsuit.
In its opinion, the court expressed concern regarding the spread of disease and drug use in homeless encampments, and that cities need access to all tools available, including laws, to tackle the crisis.
鈥淲ith encampments dotting neighborhood sidewalks, adults and children in these communities are sometimes forced to navigate around used needles, human waste, and other hazards to make their way to school, the grocery store, or work,鈥� Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote.
However, Rich believes the Supreme Court鈥檚 decision is a disappointment and violates basic rights.
鈥淓very person in the nation deserves to share in the prosperity and the abundance of the world we've created,鈥� Rich said. 鈥淭his case is certainly a step in the wrong direction.鈥�
