U.S. Supreme Court Hears Grants Pass v. Johnson

To get a physical copy of the issue released each Wednesday, locate your nearest vendor here or read more online at streetroots.org. 

Related Episodes: 

• 4/3/2024: Uncomfortable Enough? Grants Pass v. Johnson (Jeremiah's in-depth reporting speaking to stakeholders in Grants Pass pre-Supreme Court oral arguments, including service providers, home builders, homeless residents, those involved in the SCOTUS case, etc.)

• 1/17/2024: U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Homelessness Case (Jeremiah's initial reporting on the background of the Grants Pass case and what to e)

• 7/12/2023: Ban Without a Plan: Unclear What's Next for PDX Daytime Camping Ban (Jeremiah's reporting on the lack of planning behind the Portland daytime camping ban, looking to Grants Pass case and ongoing litigation as a blueprint)

• 6/7/2023: Mayor Wheeler's Proposed Daytime Camping Ban Fines & Jails Homeless Portlanders (Editor-in-Chief K. Rambo's reporting on the original passing of Portland's daytime camping ban--which is very similar to the Grants Pass ordinance--including the constitutional and legal questions raised by it)

Further Information

• All documentation filed in Johnson v. Grants Pass (SCOTUS Blog)

• Audio + Transcript of Oral Arguments before the Supreme Court (4/22/24)

• U.S. Supreme Court Johnson v. Grants Pass Petitioner's Brief (In Favor of Sleeping Bans)

• U.S. Supreme Court Johnson v. Grants Pass Respondent's Brief (Against Sleeping Bans)

• ORS 195.530  (2021 statewide legislation championed by then-Speaker Kotek)

• Key Precedent: 9th Circuit Federal Court Ruling in Martin v. Boise (2018) [SCOTUS declined case, therefore upholding the lower court ruling. Case establishes that sleeping outside cannot be punished if there is not otherwise sufficient shelter space]

• Key Precedent: Supreme Court Ruling in Robinson v. California (1962) ["The ‘crime’ of having a common cold"] 

• Key Precedent: Supreme Court Ruling in Powell v. Texas (1968) [Creates legal distinction between status and conduct]

• MINT (Mobile Integrative Navigation Team) [Helping homeless residents move locations and navigate Grants Pass ordinances]

Episode Credits: