At RollingOn, we believe in policies that uphold dignity and humane treatment for all people, including our unhoused. A recent ruling from the Supreme Court changes how homelessness may be treated in cities across our nation. Over this past summer, the Supreme Court refused to review City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, leaving in place an appeals court decision that cities cannot criminalize sleeping or camping in public places unless adequate shelter has been provided. This further reinforces the 2018 Martin vs. Boise ruling that fining homelessness when other options for shelter do not exist constitutes a violation of the 8th Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

It's not often that the issue of homelessness gets discussed at the Supreme Court, and this case reflects the urgency of addressing homelessness in every state, city, and town in the US. The decision gives a strong indication to cities: rather than criminalizing homelessness, which often only perpetuates cycles of poverty and instability, we need to create sustainable solutions including affordable housing and support services. This was an opportunity for Grants Pass, Oregon, to revise and redirect resources toward long-term strategies that address the root causes of homelessness in America.

At RollingOn, we believe in advocating for empathetic, evidence-based policies that treat our unhoused populations fairly. We fight for comprehensive solutions where everyone has an equal opportunity to live with dignity, free from punishment for simply trying to survive. The Supreme Court decision represents a new turn in the battle to fight homelessness and hopefully furthers thoughtful and inclusive policies moving forward. To learn more about this ruling and what it really means, please read more here from the National Alliance to End Homelessness.