The United States Supreme Court issued a ruling Friday morning, in what may be, the most significant case involving the rights of homeless people in decades, Gr
Heat advisory now in effect until 7 pm Saturday for areas in orange. Very dangerous heat & humidity expected.by Abigail VelezThe United States Supreme Court issued a ruling Friday morning, in what may be, the most significant case involving the rights of homeless people in decades, Grants Pass vs.
Johnson. The ruling was in favor of Grants Pass-- meaning cities are now allowed to criminally punish people for sleeping outside, even if they don't have access to shelter. Austin currently has a public camping ban in place, making it illegal to live in outdoor encampments. Save Austin Now Co-Founder, Matt Mackowiak is celebrating SCOTUS's ruling in Grant Pass and said it's a step toward solving Austin's homeless crisis.This decision comes when Austin's homeless population is among the highest it's ever been. Austin ECHO said last year, 2,300 people were homeless in the city; a number experts say continues to grow.Rachel Schuyler agreed that camping is a disaster; after being homeless for over a decade, she experienced it firsthand. "There was somebody that would drive around my tent when I lived up under the bridge and they would throw cigarette butts at our tent and they caught my neighbor's tent on fire and burned everything," said Schuyler.Now, she calls a hotel her home... for the meantime. "I'm working three part-time jobs. My husband's working a full-time job as a manager and we can't afford the rent," said Schuyler. She said she wonders where she and her toddler will sleep some nights. She said nothing is more inhumane than getting fined for not having a home. "Is this what I deserve?" asked Schuyler, "What did I do to deserve this? It makes you question if there's a God."Sasha Rosa with Austin Mutual said criminalizing people like Rachel doesn't solve the homeless crisis, but even strains the court systems.She said SCOTUS's message is basically, "If I can't get you to somehow make an income and afford housing, then I'm gonna make you sit in a prison and make me money. It's an industrial complex that really isn't working." Although possible, the City of Austin has not announced plans to move forward with criminalizing outdoor sleeping.
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