U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Bay Area Council in Taking up Controversial Homelessness Case

In a major victory for the Bay Area Council’s work to address homelessness, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a controversial lower federal court ruling that has hamstrung the ability of cities to bring homeless residents indoors, remove unsafe and unhealthy street encampments and restore access to public sidewalks and other spaces. The Council led a coalition of organizations in submitting an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to take up the case, which stems from a ruling in a lawsuit in Grants Pass, Oregon, that effectively prevented the city from enforcing a no-camping ordinance.

The Supreme Court will next hear oral arguments on the merits of the case, with a decision expected this summer. The Council thanks Hanson Bridgett for helping draft our amicus brief. To engage in the Council’s homelessness policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Adrian Covert.