Former city administrator celebrated SCOTUS ruling on removing homeless

"For years, western states and cities were required to offer shelter to residents before clearing an encampment, per a federal appeals court ruling. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court's conservative justices overturned that decision, finding it permissible for cities to ban sleeping in public or camping on sidewalks and parks, even when no shelter is available."

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to a Grants Pass, Oregon law that effectively barred unhoused people from living there. Homelessness groups warned that a ruling for the city could criminalize vulnerable people, while others expected more authority for local governments to address encampments. California officials, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, urged the justices to uphold the ban, arguing it would enable cities to clear camps and impose jail or fines. Oakland leaders did not publicly state a position, but released text messages show close monitoring and celebration after the June 2024 decision. The Court overturned a prior requirement to offer shelter before clearing encampments, ruling that cities may prohibit sleeping in public or camping on sidewalks and parks even when no shelter exists.

Read at The Oaklandside