Oregon state agency, lawmakers react to Supreme Court ruling on homeless camping regulations
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce regulations against the homeless sleeping on public property draw a somewhat predictable mix of reactions from Oregon officials, with a housing agency official calling it "devastating" and Democratic lawmakers saying it does nothing to solve the crisis while top Republican lawmakers celebrated a clearer path to stronger regulations.
Here are their news releases, in full:
Oregon Housing and Community Services responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling allowing cities to ban people from sleeping outdoors
Oregon Housing and Community Services - 06/28/24 1:40 PM
The United States Supreme Court made its ruling today in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. In response to the decision, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell issued the following statement.
“For many, we knew this day was coming, and yet it is still devastating. This is a wake-up call for all of us – cities in particular. We cannot succumb to cynicism or confuse this ruling as a mandate. Many of us have either experienced the struggle to make ends meet or know someone who has. In the face of this shared reality, out-of-sight, out-of-mind positions that criminalize sleeping or sheltering in public spaces only exacerbates the experiences of homelessness.
“OHCS’ position remains unchanged – we reject homelessness as an inevitable outcome. Every person, regardless of their background or where they come from, deserves a place to call home. Oregon’s shared values serve as a guidepost of hope and progress. In cities, suburbs, and rural towns across the state, our economies and communities are strongest when everyone’s fundamental needs are met. To the people of Oregon struggling to get by: We see you. We value your life. We will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf.”
In 2023, Oregon prevented more than 9,000 households from becoming homeless, created over 1,000 new shelter beds, and helped some 2,000 people move from homeless to housed. This was done in partnership with Governor Tina Kotek, the Oregon Legislature, numerous state agencies, and many local community partners who implemented the funding and policy developed through the Governor’s homelessness state of emergency (EO 23-02) and the Affordable Housing and Emergency Homelessness Response Package (HB 2001 and HB 5019, 2023).
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
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Legislative Action Must Follow Supreme Court’s Common-Sense Grants Pass v. Johnson Decision
SALEM, Ore. – Today, Senate Republicans celebrate the Supreme Court's decision in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, a ruling that stands as a victory for the rule of law and the well-being of our communities. This decision recognizes the critical need for local governments to manage public spaces effectively, ensuring safety and order for all citizens.
The Court's ruling supports the City of Grants Pass's right to enforce ordinances that prevent public spaces from becoming unsafe and unsanitary. By upholding these regulations, the Court has validated the efforts of municipalities to protect their communities while safety and dignity of people experiencing homelessness.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, in a recent KGW interview, emphasized the need for legislative action: “Unless the legislature decides to revisit the law that HB 3115 enacted, no one in Portland is going to see sweeping policy changes after the Supreme Court issues its decision.”
HB 3115 (2021) was a reactionary piece of legislation by Democrats in response to a misguided court opinion by the Ninth Circuit. This law has suffocated local jurisdictions' efforts to keep their communities safe. It is essential that the Legislature acts promptly to ensure state laws align with the Supreme Court's decision, allowing for sensible, community-focused solutions that maintain public safety and health without infringing on individual rights.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s common sense ruling today, Democrats’ 'Right to Camp' law will continue to hamper local governments' ability to address homelessness effectively,” said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles). “The Legislature should immediately provide clarity to our local governments as they work to reduce homelessness in their communities by taking action on HB 3115. This time, cities and counties that are most affected should be at the table, leading the discussions on what is best for their local jurisdictions. We stand ready to pass legislation that balances the interests of all residents – whether they are in a home or seeking shelter, utilizing both compassion and pragmatism to ensure our public spaces are safe, clean, and accessible for everyone.”
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Leader Helfrich Responds to City of Grants Pass V. Johnson
SALEM, Ore. – In response to today’s Supreme Court of the United States ruling in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case, House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich issued the following statement.
“Our parks were never meant to be campgrounds, and now our cities can finally begin restoring our communities' public spaces," said Leader Helfrich. "The Supreme Court's ruling is a victory for common sense and highlights what conservative leadership looks like."
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Statement from House and Senate Housing Chairs Following U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson
Building more housing, preventing homelessness remain top priorities
SALEM, OR – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, saying city laws aimed at banning homeless residents from sleeping outdoors did not violate the Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Senator Kayse Jama (D - Portland), chair of the Senate Housing and Development Committee, and Representative Pam Marsh (D - Ashland), chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee, released the following statement on how this decision will impact housing policy in Oregon:
“Our goal remains making sure every Oregonian has access to safe, affordable housing so no one has to resort to sleeping on the streets. Homelessness will be solved by building more housing, supporting shelters and programs to get people on the path out of homelessness.
Local jurisdictions have a duty to maintain livability for everyone in their communities – and, importantly, there needs to be a reasonable balance between those concerns and the reality that too many Oregonians don’t have anywhere safe to sleep. Today's Supreme Court ruling does nothing to solve the housing and homelessness crisis in Oregon. The legislature remains focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, increasing the housing supply, and funding programs that help get people on a path out of houselessness.”
The Oregon legislature passed significant legislation to address the root causes of the housing and homelessness crisis at the state level. This includes the Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package passed earlier this year, which made a $376 investment in expanding affordable housing and shelter supports and enacted policies that doubled down on the $2 billion housing package passed in 2023.
