Criminalization of Homelessness
Indiana bans public homelessness
A new law prohibits sleeping or camping on public property.
Salt Lake City weighs ban on sleeping in cars
A proposed city ordinance would restrict people from sleeping in vehicles on public property.
Mamdani Criticized for Continuing Homeless Sweeps
The mayor previously pledged to end the practice of clearing unhoused encampments, calling prior mayor Adams’ strategy a failure.
Oakland Mayor, City Council Offer ‘Radically Different’ Plans for Reducing Homelessness
Mayor Barbara Lee wants to reduce encampment sweeps and focus on improving sanitation while city council members want to increase enforcement, particularly against illegally parked RVs.
Study: LA’s Homelessness Program Displaced 5 People for Every One it Helped
Researchers say a city program designed to help people access housing and services “does not live up to its name” and has caused more harm than good.
California Law Bars Cities From Punishing Homelessness Outreach Workers
A state law seeks to protect workers who provide services to unhoused residents, regardless of where they live.
Grants Pass to Provide 150 Camping Spaces, $60k in Services After Disability Rights Suit
The city previously made headlines for the U.S. Supreme Court case allowing penalties for camping prohibited by local ordinances.
Albuquerque Bookstore Owner Sues City to Continue Housing Homeless Neighbors
A bookstore owner who was fined for letting unhoused people camp on his property is asserting that the city’s actions are unconstitutional.
Connecticut Governor Rejects Trump Homelessness Order
Gov. Lamont — who vetoed a highly anticipated pro-housing bill in June — says his state will not criminalize homelessness or force the institutionalization of unhoused people.
Trump Executive Order on Homelessness Calls for Forced Institutionalization
The order seeks to remove legal precedents and consent decrees that prevent cities from moving unhoused people from the street to treatment centers.
Gallatin County, Montana Passes Ban on Public Camping
The Gallatin County Commission last week approved an ordinance banning camping on public property and within public rights-of-way.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
Unhoused People in San Jose Could Face Arrest if They Refuse Shelter
A policy proposed by the city’s mayor would give law enforcement the option to arrest homeless residents if they refuse three offers of housing.
Opinion: DC Encampment Sweeps Hide, but Don’t Solve, Homelessness
President Trump recently ordered the clearing of encampments built by unhoused people on federal land in Washington, D.C.
Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass
The Oregon city will be barred from enforcing two ordinances that prosecute unhoused residents until it increases capacity and accessibility at designated camping sites.
Trump Wants to Force Homeless People Into ‘Tent Cities.’ Can He?
The president pushed for sweeping crackdowns and the possible internment of people experiencing homelessness. To see what's coming, we should look to what states have already done.
Fremont, California Criminalizes Homelessness, “Abetting” Encampments
Non-profits worry the ordinance, which does not explicitly exempt service providers, will have a chilling effect on unhoused residents and those who offer resources.
January Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
How a tidal wave of potential changes at the federal level could throw many programs planners depend on into chaos, a roundup of last year’s zoning stories, and the continuing ripple effects of a landmark Supreme Court case.
Camping Bans Proliferate After Supreme Court Ruling
A Supreme Court ruling in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson has led over 100 cities to pass or step up enforcement of camping bans that criminalize unhoused residents.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
