SCOTUS Ruling Prompts Protests Over Homelessness

Following SCOTUS Ruling, Austin Advocates Protest Camping Bans, Call for Housing Solutions

"We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. It comes from support." - Sasha Rose, Austin Mutual Aid

In the wake of a divisive Supreme Court decision, upholding laws that criminalize homelessness, Austin advocates and organizers are pushing back. The ruling allows cities and states to ban people from sleeping/camping in public spaces, a move critics say is inhumane given the lack of shelter space nationwide.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Sasha Rose, Austin Mutual Aid, lead organizer, said:

"We cannot arrest our way out of homelessness. It comes from support... We call on our city leadership to invest in affordable housing."

Andi Brauer, of Central Presbyterian Church's homeless services, asked: "How can we move people and say you can't sleep here and then we give them no other place to go because the shelters are full?"

The Supreme Court's 6-3 opinion, which overturned a lower court ruling, states laws banning homeless people from public spaces do not constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

Austin's laws currently prohibit sitting, lying down, and camping in public areas and ban solicitation at certain hours/locations - violations are classed as misdemeanors. Despite efforts by the city council to repeal such ordinances, voters reinstated the camping ban in 2021.

According to the Ending Community Homeless Coalition, over 6,200 people in Austin experience homelessness. The city is falling short of providing sufficient shelter and permanent housing, despite progress and ongoing projects.

A City Response

Austin's Homeless Strategy Office spokesperson, Chrisola Webb, released a statement post-SCOTUS ruling:

"The City of Austin recognizes that homelessness is not a crime... Enforcement of applicable laws related to camping in public places is one of many tools and solutions used by the City in appropriate circumstances. We will continue working with neighbors and stakeholders to ensure actions and policies balance public safety with people's rights and needs."

The statement highlights ongoing city-funded initiatives, including rapid rehousing programs aiding over 2,200 individuals and the development of 1,000+ new housing units for the homeless.

Grassroots Action

In addition to Mutual Aid and Brauer, leaders from VOCAL-TX, The Healing Project and other grassroots organizations spoke at the press conference, advocating for housing-first solutions and support services, not criminalization.

As the debate continues, Austin's advocates remain steadfast, ensuring the city's most vulnerable are not forgotten or further disenfranchised.

URLs References:

• Austin Mutual Aid: https://www.austinmutualaid.org/
• Central Presbyterian Church: https://www.centralpresaustin.org/mission/local-missions/homeless
• Supreme Court Ruling: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/20-1613_n6io.pdf
• City of Austin Prop B, Camping Laws: https://www.austintexas.gov/propb-homeless
• Austin City Council Repeal: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2021/04/23/austin-council-repeals-homeless-camping-ban-over-mayors-veto-threat/7343574002/
• ECHO: https://echoatx.github.io/hrs-dashboard-site/
• VOCAL-TX: https://vocal-tx.org/
• The Healing Project: https://www.thehealingproj.org/