A 2009 law that banned sleeping in public spaces has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.
In a decision with far-reaching consequences, a federal appeals court ruled this week that cities can't prosecute homeless people for sleeping on streets, according to an article by Rebecca Boone.
Boone reports that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of six homeless people, who sued Boise, Idaho after the city approved an ordinance in 2009 that banned sleeping in public spaces. The law violates the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, according to the court.
The article includes more details about how and why Boise passed the law what the ruling means for Boise and other cities with similar laws.
FULL STORY: It’s cruel and unusual for Boise to ban sleeping on the streets, appeals court rules
Supreme Court Refuses Landmark Homelessness Case
A closely watched court case related to how cities deal with homeless people sleeping in public, Martin v. Boise, will not get hearing with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Could Decide on Homeless Public Sleeping
The Supreme Court will be considering for the first time whether the Constitution gives homeless people a right to sleep on the sidewalk.
Will Appeal of Landmark Appeals Court Ruling Allow for Clearing of Tent Cities?
If the Supreme Court hears an appeal of a landmark U.S. Ninth Circuit Court case settled in April, the ruling would have widespread implications for dealing with homeless encampments throughout the West, perhaps nowhere more so than Los Angeles.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association