Criminalization of homelessness: Grants Pass v. Johnson case in the U.S. Supreme Court

(updated April 26, 2024; posted March 29, 2024)

How to listen to a recording of oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson

To hear the recording of oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson from April 22, 2024, visit the Supreme Court website: https://bit.ly/supreme-court-4-22-2024 (2 hours, 25 minutes) | Transcript (183 pages). The recording is also available on C-SPAN: https://bit.ly/CSPAN-4-22-2024.

\WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson on April 22, 2024. The court’s website and C-SPAN provided a livestream, and the recording is available.

Oral arguments recording (2 hours, 25 minutes):

Grants Pass v. Johnson addesses similar issues to local case

Grants Pass v. Johnson relates, in part, to the Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The case highlights the issue of unaffordable housing and its consequences, including increased homelessness and encampments in residential areas.

Southeastern Pennsylvania also struggles with housing unaffordability and has seen increased numbers of unhoused people in recent years. This prompted LASP and Community Justice Project advocates to obtain an injunction in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Better Days Ahead Outreach Inc. v. Borough of Pottstown, 2023 U.S. Dist., preventing the type of criminalization at issue in Grants Pass.

Homelessness locally: Bucks-Mont Collaborative presented webinar on April 4, 2024

The Bucks-Mont Collaborative hosted “The Criminalization of Homelessness and How to Help the Unhoused: A Presentation & Discussion with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Community Justice Project and Access Services.” (Scroll down for link.)

Legal advocates explained the current issues around the criminalization of homelessness, including new developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and how they may impact people in Bucks and Montgomery counties. 

The presentation also covered common legal issues experienced by unhoused people, how LASP, CJP and Access Services can help, and opportunities for collaboration.

Presenters:

  • Mark Boorse, Director of Program Development, Access Services

  • Erica Briant, LASP Director of Community Engagement & Training

  • Charles Burrows, LASP Staff Attorney

  • Marielle Macher, Community Justice Project Executive Director

Watch the Bucks-Mont Collaborative webinar:

HomelessnessMarion FraleyGrants Pass v. Johnson, Supreme court