Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH)’s Post

Today, the Supreme Court will hear the most important case about homelessness in 40 years. Johnson v. Grants Pass will determine whether cities can punish people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options. Criminalizing homelessness is cruel, ineffective, and distracts from real solutions like housing and supportive services. Learn more about this landmark case at johnsonvgrantspass.com, follow National Homelessness Law Center, and check out National Network for Youth’s breakdown of how this ruling will affect youth experiencing homelessness!

#SCOTUS' decision on #JohnsonVGrantsPass allows local governments to punish people for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go, even though experts agree that criminalizing homelessness only makes it harder to solve. Luckily, the rest of this week’s news has the Bay Area poised to double down on proven solutions to homelessness. ✔ On Tuesday, we released our Regional Action Plan that serves as a roadmap to making homelessness rare, brief and one-time. ✔ On Wednesday, MTC voted to put a $20 billion affordable housing bond measure on the November ballot of all Bay Area counties. ✔ On Thursday, the Legislature voted to put structural change to enable housing solutions on the ballot statewide through ACA 10. Despite the disappointing ruling made earlier today, we cannot afford to let it distract us from the proven solutions right in front of us. Let’s come together and choose a better future for the Bay Area, where everyone in our region can stay here and thrive. https://lnkd.in/gz9ZDqKP

This week’s City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson hearing marked the beginning of Supreme Court case proceedings with life-changing consequences for those we serve—by potentially allowing for unhoused people to be fined or arrested for sleeping outside. We must stand firm in our commitment to protecting our vulnerable unhoused neighbors. Research shows that the solution to the homelessness crisis is creating more affordable housing, not criminalizing homelessness. As we wait for an official ruling to be issued, be sure to read National Alliance to End Homelessness’ brief comparing criminalization as an approach to the homeless crisis with increased investment in homelessness services. Spoiler alert: strengthening homelessness services is the best path towards reaching functional zero on homelessness.

Criminalizing homelessness fails to address its root causes, such as the lack of affordable housing and access to services. Instead, it penalizes individuals who have no alternative but to sleep on the streets. Fining people who can't afford housing only exacerbates their situation, leading to incarceration and further instability. In Grants Pass, with over 600 homeless individuals and only 130 shelter beds, the problem persists. Shelters, like the Gospel Misson in Grants Pass, can pose risks to mental health, promoting religious conversion and unpaid labor. Often there is an adversarial relationship between staff and the clients leaving many with no safe place for shelter. Shelters can pose physical health risks like requiring complete sobriety despite the dangers of a sudden detox for long term substance users. Working at a shelter during the pandemic I saw first hand how quickly illness spreads in such a close environment. Shelters are often unable to accommodate families with more than a few kids making it even more difficult to find resources for a family struggling together. As a dog owner having to say good bye to a pet I love so dearly just isn’t an option. Yet we expect those experiencing homelessness to just give up their pets for a temporary shelter bed that may not be available the next night. Forget the emotional and mental support that pet might bring to them. This law, and others like it, seeks to criminalize an individual experiencing homelessness for their existence. It further ostracizes them from society. This law is cruel. It is an unusual punishment applied exclusively to those experiencing homelessness. Rather than criminalizing individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, communities should prioritize creating effective programs and policies. The "Housing First" model remains the most effective approach. Expecting someone to improve their mental health, overcome addiction, or address financial struggles while sleeping outside is unrealistic. Stable shelter is a fundamental human necessity. Growing up in poverty I saw first hand how a discriminatory legal system can cause harm; a reality that was reinforced working as a social worker. I hope to continue to advocate for an individuals legal rights regardless of their socioeconomic status. It should not be a crime to sleep in public while homeless. Especially when communities have consistently failed to provide other safe and affordable alternatives.

Arguments start today for #JohnsonvGrantsPass, the most significant case to reach #SCOTUS on homelessness in a long time. The case will, in essence, determine whether homelessness can be criminalized, potentially overriding the Appeals Court decision in Martin v Boise, which has protected the right to sleep outside when no other shelter options are available. I have seen Martin v Boise be skirted relentlessly, and can only imagine the outcomes if cities are empowered to fine and imprison folks for lacking housing. Actions will be occurring nationwide, go to https://lnkd.in/gtgrE_Me to find ways to support.

🏠 Addressing homelessness is a moral imperative -- This week, I had the privilege of attending a legislative briefing at the RI state house, where the urgency of addressing homelessness was underscored by passionate advocates and representatives. A key takeaway was the undeniable strain felt across our state due to the rising number of unhoused individuals, regardless of income bracket. The ripple effects touch every aspect of our community, from increased pressure on essential services to the heartbreaking reality of families, including children, sleeping on the streets due to insufficient shelter beds. The message was clear: housing is a basic right, and it's imperative that we invest in solutions now. Every budget cut has a human impact, hindering the progress we've worked so hard to achieve. Let's not falter in our efforts. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every member of our community has a place to call home. #EndHomelessness #CommunitySupport #InvestInHousing 🏡✨ View the briefing here: https://lnkd.in/eH9YEK6X

In April, the Supreme Court will hear the most important case about homelessness in 40 years. Johnson v Grants Pass is a landmark case concerning homelessness criminalization and the rights of people experiencing homelessness.   This case will determine whether cities have the right to penalize people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options. Check out the link below to learn more about Johnson v. Grants Pass. 

In case one needed more evidence that Housing First is a failure with catastrophic results, please read the attached article. Housing First is two things: 1. a repositioning from a continuum of options for all people to PSH for chronically homelessness only and 2. an eligibility screen that excludes children & PREVENTS PREVENTION and early intervention. We can - we must - restore the Awardwinning Continuum of Care.

Housing ends homelessness. Too many are forced to find shelter in public places with only a blanket and pillow. This isn't a choice—it's a harsh reality stemming from a nationwide shortage of safe, affordable housing. The upcoming #SCOTUS case, Johnson v. Grants Pass, poses a crucial question: Do we address #homelessness with punishment or support? Visit johnsonvgrantspass.com to learn more.

Housing ends homelessness. Too many are forced to find shelter in public places with only a blanket and pillow. This isn't a choice—it's a harsh reality stemming from a nationwide shortage of safe, affordable housing.  The #SCOTUS case, Johnson v. Grants Pass, poses a crucial question: Do we address #homelessness with punishment or support? Visit johnsonvgrantspass.com to learn more.