The city of Las Vegas has approved a law that prohibits the homeless from camping in large swaths of the city. The measure provoked the opposition on most of the public in attendance at a City Council hearing this week.

"In an attempt to address homelessness, the Las Vegas City Council approved 5-2 a controversial ordinance Wednesday that will ban camping, sleeping and similar activities throughout downtown and in residential areas," reports Miranda Wilson.
The new law, proposed by Mayor Carolyn Goodman, "will make it a misdemeanor to rest, sleep, lie down, use a blanket, camp or 'lodge' in public rights of way adjacent to residential properties, in 12 downtown-area districts, or within 500 feet of a food processing facility. "
The new law in Las Vegas recalls a similar law under consideration in Los Angeles, which would "ban sleeping on streets and sidewalks within 500 feet of schools, parks, day-care facilities and some popular venues," according to a Los Angeles Times article published in September.
Supporters of the Las Vegas law insist that the intention of the prohibition is not to prosecute the homeless, but to connect homeless residents with support services. Still, the approval met boisterous opposition from the public during the council's hearing on the law this week.
Additional coverage for the City Council decision is provided by Shea Johnson and Briana Erickson.
No mention in either article is made of the decision in Martin v. City of Boise (potentially headed to the Supreme Court) that requires cities that ban sleeping in public to have enough shelter space to house the homeless population.
FULL STORY: Following tense meeting, Las Vegas council approves homeless ordinance

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing
A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

Federal Government Announces National Climate Resilience Framework
The document is designed to guide federal investment into community-driven solutions tailored to local conditions and needs.

How to Build for Aging in Place
Why developers should place more emphasis on building homes for aging residents and multigenerational living.

Bringing Planning Back to the People
Has the profession given in to corporate interests, and is there another way forward?
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
City of Helena
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.