Supreme Court sharply divided over enforcing municipal homeless camping ban

The Supreme Court appears deeply conflicted over a city's ban on homeless camping in public spaces that is meant to fight the growing homelessness crisis.

The current appeal comes from officials in Grants Pass, Oregon, with almost 40,000 residents. 

Municipal ordinances there ban sleeping or camping on streets, under bridges and in parks or other publicly owned property. The ban includes the use of bedding, pillows, cardboard boxes, sleeping bags, stoves or fires – with fines starting at $295.

At issue is whether the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property – but targeting the unhoused – constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.