The nation's highest court is expected to hear a case known as Grants Pass on Monday that will have major implications on San Diego's homeless camping ban.
The case could have a major impact on how local and state governments deal with the rising homeless population in cities.
“It absolutely is a game changer. Both sides agree it’s a game changer,” attorney Dan Eaton said.
The case comes from the rural Oregon town of Grants Pass, which started fining people $295 for sleeping outside to manage homeless encampments that sprung up in the city's public parks as the cost of housing escalated.
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The measure was largely struck down by the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which also found in 2018 that such bans violated the 8th Amendment by punishing people for something they don't have control over.
“The bottom line with respect to this case is that whatever the Supreme Court decides, it’s going to set the scope on regulation on encampments,” Eaton said.
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In San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s State of the City address earlier this year, he touted the success of the city’s camping ban, which he says led to a 60% decline in downtown homelessness since May 2023.
Some legal experts expect the Supreme Court to hand down a ruling that will give city and state leaders more options in tackling the homeless issue.
“I suspect that the Supreme Court is going to issue a ruling that gives places like the city of San Diego an even freer hand than it has exercised to regulate encampments on public property,” Eaton said.
The Supreme Court justices are expected to release a written opinion in June.
The case comes after homelessness in the United States grew a dramatic 12%, to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, according to federal data.
