One year ago, the Supreme Court heard the most significant case about homelessness in decades.

One year ago today, the Supreme Court heard the case Johnson v. Grants Pass—the most significant case about homelessness in decades. This case would decide whether people could be criminalized for sleeping outside.

On April 22nd, 2024, we helped organize a rally outside of the Supreme Court House and joined advocates and people who have experienced homelessness from across the country to demand that our nation respond to our housing crisis with house keys, not handcuffs. We also contributed to a powerful Amicus Brief in partnership with the National Homelessness Law Center, Community Solutions, Pathways to Housing D.C., and a pro bono legal team. We helped collect signatures from over 200 direct service provider organizations representing 42 different states who signed on to support the brief. It was later highlighted in Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent. 

Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled that cities like Grants Pass, Oregon can cite, fine, and arrest people for sleeping outdoors, even when no shelters or housing exist for them. Since this decision, our partners like the National Homelessness Law Center have reported that approximately 150 cities in 32 states have passed or strengthened anti-homeless camping ordinances. 

Despite these disturbing trends and new federal threats to funding for housing and homeless services, people across the country are organizing, fighting back, and working on proactive solutions. We know that we can only end homelessness through housing and support services, and this requires care–not criminalization.

We’re not giving up and we’re asking you to join our work however you can. The only way forward is through cultivating solidarity and channeling our collective anger and love into creating a better world where there is housing for all.