FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Silvana Quiroz
media@miriamskitchen.org
MIRIAM’S KITCHEN STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT RULING IN CITY OF GRANTS PASS, OREGON V. JOHNSON
Washington, D.C. (June 28, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, determining that local governments can arrest or fine individuals for sleeping outside even when adequate shelter is unavailable. This decision marks a profound setback for the rights and dignity of people experiencing homelessness across the nation.
At Miriam’s Kitchen, we are deeply disheartened by this ruling, which sanctions the criminalization of homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. Criminalizing individuals for the mere act of surviving in public spaces is a regressive and inhumane approach that undermines efforts to end homelessness.
This ruling disproportionately harms the most vulnerable members of our community. There is a direct link between homelessness and incarceration, with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people overrepresented on both unfortunate ends. Data shows that unhoused individuals are more likely to be jailed and individuals who have a history of incarceration are more likely to experience homelessness. Structural racism in housing, criminal justice, and more broadly makes this cycle of marginalization tough to break. Instead of offering support and solutions, this decision endorses punitive measures that will only exacerbate the hardships faced by those without shelter.
We firmly believe that homelessness should never be treated as a crime. The effective approach to ending homelessness lies in providing access to affordable housing and comprehensive supportive services, including case management, healthcare, and behavioral health services. This ruling, however, diverts focus from these proven solutions and perpetuates a cycle of hardship and marginalization.
Despite this setback, our commitment to advocating for humane and evidence-based responses to homelessness remains unwavering. We will continue working alongside our partners, including the National Homelessness Law Center, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Low Income Housing Coalition, and National Alliance to End Homelessness, to push for policies prioritizing housing and supportive services overcriminalization.
We urge policymakers at all levels of government to reconsider and refocus their efforts on the true solutions to homelessness. This decision underscores the urgent need for increased investment in affordable housing and supportive services and the importance of addressing systemic issues contributing to homelessness.
Now more than ever, we must unite to support our unhoused neighbors and advocate for their rights. We call on all advocates, community members, and policymakers to join us in opposing the criminalization of homelessness and working towards a future where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.
About Miriam’s Kitchen
Founded in 1983 as a soup kitchen, Miriam’s Kitchen has evolved over the years to provide more than meals. Today, Miriam’s Kitchen is a critical player in the fight to end chronic homelessness in D.C. On the direct services level, we serve more than 3,000 men and women experiencing homelessness—helping them to improve their health, increase their income, and obtain housing through various programs and partnerships. And at the systems level, we work with leaders across the city to make instances of homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
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