Columbus, Ohio — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is constitutional to make it illegal for homeless people to sleep in public areas.
What You Must Understand
- The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided to permit communities to make it illegal for homeless people to sleep outside.
- The Supreme Court ruled that towns are free to penalize homeless individuals for sleeping in public spaces under the eighth amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.
- Statewide, local authorities denounce and oppose the criminalization of the homeless
- Advocates for housing in Columbus feel that this decision is incorrect.
As for what nobody should have to deal with when they’re already facing homelessness, Huckleberry House executive director Sonya Thesing said.
Sonya Thesing observes the daily struggles that homeless individuals endure. She provides refuge for young people who are at-risk as the executive director of the Huckleberry House. However, some individuals still sleep without a roof over their heads, even in spite of the efforts made by groups like hers.
According to Thesing, “the lack of affordable housing in the community is a major contributing factor to homelessness.”
She claims that a recent high court decision may exacerbate the issue because of this. The Supreme Court ruled that towns are free to penalize homeless individuals for sleeping in public spaces under the eighth amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. If they do, they risk fines, jail time, and even arrests for sleeping outside.
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Thesing stated, “We kind of let people off the hook and say we’ll just put people in jail instead of making sure there’s adequate shelter and adequate, affordable housing.”
Although the verdict permits towns to outlaw it, it does not compel them to do so. The Ohio community leaders with whom we met are not prepared to make that move.
Cleveland “strongly believes in supporting our unsheltered community rather than criminalizing them,” according to a statement from Mayor Justin Bibb. He refers to a project he launched earlier this year with the intention of finding them homes as quickly as possible. Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus reiterated such views, stating, “We will continue to lead with compassion and that is not an option we will pursue.” Shayla Favor, a member of the Columbus City Council, says she would oppose a ban.
“We are aware that criminalizing poverty is ineffective. There is no incentive for people to discover a place to dwell by magic. Thus, it already increases the strain on a system that is already at breaking point, according to Shayla Favor, a member of the Columbus City Council.
Thesing hopes that other community leaders will also feel the same way about this.
“We simply see it as a way of sustaining homelessness and creating the potential for chronic homelessness, which is something we don’t want any young person to have to deal with at the beginning of their life,” Thesing stated.