Camping

Montana Towns Reassess Urban Camping Laws in Light of New Supreme Court Ruling

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Belgrade, Mont. — In the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, cities across southwest Montana, including Belgrade, Manhattan, and Livingston, are poised to reassess their urban camping regulations. Recent judicial rulings have empowered municipalities to enforce laws against public camping, a move that could significantly impact the homeless population in the region. The Supreme Court’s 2024 judgement in Grants Pass v. Johnson has removed restrictions that previously made it illegal for cities to penalize homeless individuals for sleeping in public spaces when no shelters are available. This decision reverses an earlier ruling from … Read more

Supreme Court Backs Oregon City’s Ban on Public Camping, Intensifying Debates Over Homelessness Policy

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Grants Pass, Ore. — In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Authority affirmed the legality of anti-camping laws in Grants Pass, Oregon, giving cities across the nation clearer latitude to regulate homeless encampments on public land. The ruling, delivered with a 6-3 majority, overturned a previous judgment that deemed these laws unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment when no alternative shelter is provided. At the heart of the controversy are three ordinances in Grants Pass that disallow sleeping in public spaces with bedding or blankets, enforceable by fines and potential jail time for repeat offenders. This … Read more

Supreme Court to Review Laws Regarding Homeless Camping Rights in Western Cities

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Grants Pass, a city in southwest Oregon, has gained the attention of the Supreme Court as it seeks to challenge lower-court rulings that have complicated efforts to address homelessness in western U.S. cities. The court has agreed to review these rulings, which have made it more difficult for municipalities to prevent individuals from sleeping on the streets when there is a lack of available space in homeless shelters. This issue has been exacerbated by rising housing costs and income inequality, leading to a surge in homelessness across the region. The case is further supported by … Read more

Burien Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial Public Camping Ban: Residents Fight for Their Rights

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BURIN, Wash. – A lawsuit has been filed against the city of Burien in King County Superior Court over its public camping ban. The lawsuit was brought by the Northwest Justice Project on behalf of three unhoused Burien residents and the Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness. The complaint argues that Ordinance 818, which prohibits camping on public property between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., unfairly targets and displaces unhoused individuals. According to the lawsuit, Elizabeth and Alex Hale, who are plaintiffs in the case, were among the many people who found refuge in a … Read more