Austin Advocates Protest Homeless Camping Bans Following SCOTUS Ruling

In the aftermath of a historic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, Austin-based advocates are rallying against city and state laws that bar individuals experiencing homelessness from camping in public spaces. The SCOTUS ruling upholds such laws, sparking local advocates to demand increased investments in affordable housing and other supportive services.

Local Organizers Call for Greater Support

Leading the protests is Sasha Rose, the head organizer of Austin Mutual Aid, who argued at a news conference on Tuesday, “We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. It comes from support.” Subsequently, she called on city leaders to invest more in affordable and supportive housing options. Alongside her, leaders and representatives from nonprofit organizations such as VOCAL-TX and the Healing Project have echoed her sentiment.

Supreme Court Ruling Further Aggravates Situation

The Supreme Court delivered a 6-3 opinion last Friday, indicating that laws preventing homeless individuals from camping or sleeping in public places do not constitute cruel and unusual punishment as per the Eighth Amendment. This ruling overturns a judgement from a lower court originating from Grants Pass, Oregon. The laws in question have drawn criticism from several advocates nationwide due to the drastic shortage of shelter spaces.

Critics Question Austin’s Approach to Homelessness

In Austin, the law classifies sitting, laying down, or camping in public areas, or soliciting for money during particular hours and locations, as a criminal offense, specifically a Class C misdemeanor. While the city had initially repealed an ordinance barring public sleeping, Austin voters reinstated the ban last year.

The reinstatement comes despite official data reporting that around 6,200 individuals were experiencing homelessness as of May. Although the city has shown some progress in addressing the issue, the amount of shelter space and supportive housing still falls drastically short of the growing needs of the homeless population.

City Pledges to Address Homelessness Humanely

In response to the SCOTUS ruling, Chrisola Webb, a spokesperson for the city’s Homeless Strategy Office, issued a statement, saying that the city acknowledges “homelessness is not a crime” and is devoted to developing more comprehensive housing and support solutions.

The statement also highlighted that over 2,200 individuals are currently benefitting from city-funded rapid rehousing programs, and more than 1,000 new housing units are being constructed across Austin as part of the city’s homelessness response strategy. The spokesperson reiterated the city’s commitment to balance measures that ensure public safety with people’s rights and needs.