The Potential Fate of Homelessness
The United States Supreme Court is on the brink of allowing cities to arrest individuals for being homeless. This process conflicts with the idea that all people have ‘unalienable rights.’ This includes the indispensable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as mentioned in the country’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence.
The Case at Hand
The issue of arrest over homelessness revolves around the noteworthy case, City of Grants Pass, Ore. vs. Gloria Johnson, et al. The court refers to the particular scenario as people living without a home. This situation is found in Grants Pass, a small city in eastern Oregon.
The city had made their approach to handle homelessness by handing out tickets and fines to the homeless until they relocate. The case’s original homeless plaintiff, Deborah Blake, accumulated $5,000 in fines. Consequently, she had to shift to the outskirts of town, away from amenities and food. Sadly, Blake passed away in 2021 at only 62 years old.
A Court Decision Awaits
The U.S. Court of Appeals declared that actions taken by Grants Pass and other cities mirroring the same approach, must halt. According to the court, criminalizing involuntary homelessness signifies an unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment.
Now, the Supreme Court, which seemingly inclined to reverse the lower court’s verdict, reviews the case. The seeming disposition to reverse such an empathic ruling may sadden us. However, those who have been striving for a kinder, more equitable society have witnessed similar scenarios.
Empathy Loss, Frustration Gain
Regrettably, several officials, both in red and blue cities, now see homelessness and the homeless with frustration, lacking empathy. This detached perspective skyrockets when mental illness is a factor in homelessness. Consequently, poverty and mental illness fall under criminalization, as housing matters transform into public safety concerns.
Solutions, like arresting or imposing fines on people with no ability to pay, serve as an oversimplified surrender to a challenging problem.
History’s Shadow
Our responses to homelessness are cycled, tainted with racism. After the Civil War, several Southern states passed Vagrancy laws as part of their “Black Codes.” These codes criminalized homelessness and unemployment, enabling police to arrest newly free Black individuals for not having homes.
Hope in Sight
Making progress, we remain hopeful that the current setback is temporary. Solutions like “Housing First,” which offers shelter without imposing conditions like sobriety, are available. Other solutions include offering supportive housing and rezoning communities for affordable housing. It’s only a matter of time before society’s political and financial support aligns with its humanity.
Change is Coming
For instance, New York City made a drastic turnaround in the early 1980s. The city rejuvenated abandoned buildings with millions of dollars and put an end to its attack on single-room occupancy housing. Following a series of decisive court rulings, New York committed to ending mass homelessness and maintained this pledge.
Recognizing the Fear
Sometimes, fear of homelessness stems from recognizing that many are just a few mishaps away from facing it personally. This offers a chance for empathy and opens the pathway to finding realistic solutions to the problem.
With organizations like the Sozosei Foundation and the Community Healthcare Network on the case, there is hope. These bodies are determined to decriminalize mental illness and establish shelter rights in the face.
Despite present difficulties, the day to see a better world is fast approaching.