On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court provided a ruling in the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson that people experiencing homelessness can be ticketed and arrested for sleeping in public places, even when shelter is not available. The Iowa Balance of State CoC is extremely disappointed in this decision but continues our work to end homelessness through community collaborations, data-driven strategies, and best practice interventions. 

Criminalizing homelessness is not a long-term solution to homelessness. We know that the solution to homelessness is safe and affordable housing with the wrap around services that can keep people in housing. This ruling does not help create those solutions—it makes the challenges our communities are facing even more difficult. This case might have been about a community in Oregon, but these laws will not stop in Oregon. In fact, Iowa saw legislation introduced in the 2024 legislative session that would have criminalized homelessness. While that legislation was defeated, we can anticipate that the Cicero Institute will be back with additional legislation next year, emboldened by this Supreme Court decision.  

The CoC and its partners continue to push for an end to unsheltered homelessness by providing services to those needing housing assistance, but that is not enough. There is not enough rental assistance that can be provided through federal funds if there is not sufficient affordable housing in our communities or if the wrap around services needed to keep someone housed do not exist in a community. The Iowa BoS CoC remains committed to housing first and client centered practices. We are disappointed in this Supreme Court decision and are reminded that this fight to end homelessness requires a greater coalition than ever before. We must include city leaders, non-profit and faith-based organizations, business leaders, and county and regional leadership as we work collaboratively to make change. We must include our neighbors and community members to make a difference to provide the support that is needed to make a difference. We must collaborate and we must advocate. Federal funding alone cannot end homelessness. With the state investment in homelessness focused only on a crisis response, it is imperative that we work creatively to support permanent housing. This may be an uphill fight, but we are in this together.

To learn more about the ruling, the impact, and to access advocacy/education resources use the button below.