Supreme Court Ruling on Camping Bans: Experts Warn of Escalating Homelessness Crisis

A police officer in Las Vegas recently encountered a 55-year-old man sleeping next to a bus stop, wrapped in a blanket. The Marshal, Officer James Blaisure, was patrolling near the Fremont Street Experience when he noticed the individual and determined he was unhoused. The city had recently enacted a camping ban that prohibits sleeping in public spaces, even when no shelter beds are available.

The officer observed a walker nearby, suggesting mobility issues. Upon waking the man, Blaisure informed him of the violation and inquired if he had visited the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, roughly a mile away, which has the capacity to accommodate 550 individuals for overnight stays.

In the police report, the man stated he planned to go to the center eventually. This incident marked the second warning in one week for camping without consent, a misdemeanor offense that could lead to a fine up to $1,000. Experts note that such encounters are increasing, influenced by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that upheld cities’ rights to criminalize homelessness in certain contexts.

The National Homeless Law Center highlighted a growing trend, revealing that 99 ordinances have been passed across 26 states since the Supreme Court decision, restricting the rights of the unhoused. Advocates believe these legal changes further exacerbate the homelessness crisis, stemming from factors like the lack of affordable housing and limited access to essential services.

“None of these laws solve homelessness; they only serve to make the situation worse,” said Jesse Rabinowitz of the Law Center. Many cities, including Las Vegas, have been amending existing regulations to enforce stricter camping bans, removing provisions that previously required shelter availability before enforcement.

Los Angeles and California lead the nation in passing such ordinances, reflecting a growing pattern that prioritizes punitive measures over solutions. In contrast, some states have enacted laws aimed at limiting criminalization efforts. Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed legislation that would have made camping in public illegal, while Missouri’s Supreme Court struck down a public camping ban on a technicality.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported over 654,000 individuals faced homelessness in 2023—a 12% increase from the previous year. This statistic likely under-represents the true scale of the crisis, given the challenges associated with accurately counting those experiencing homelessness.

Increasing public pressure has led many municipalities to react swiftly and harshly to encampments. For example, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently directed state agencies to remove encampments deemed hazardous, emphasizing an immediate response rather than long-term solutions.

As federal policies regarding homelessness hang in the balance, questions about the future remain. During his recent reelection campaign, former President Donald Trump indicated plans for a national camping ban and proposed creating designated areas for the unhoused. Critics worry these measures could further marginalize vulnerable populations.

Despite varying political affiliations, a concerning trend exists where both Republican and Democratic leaders adopt similar hardline positions on homelessness. Advocates argue that this bipartisanship emphasizes enforcement over effective solutions, ultimately deepening the crisis and potential for incarceration among unhoused individuals.

As cities grapple with rising homelessness and punitive measures, the broader implications for public policy and community health remain uncertain. The National Homeless Law Center is expected to release a comprehensive report in 2025 detailing these trends and their consequences across urban America.