Over 650,000 people in the U.S. are currently homeless, and now the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that cities can enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors, even where shelter space is insufficient.
In a 6-3 decision, the nation’s highest court reversed a previous ruling that found such bans were cruel and unusual punishment. The decision affects nine western states, including California, which has a large homeless population.
Supporters of the ruling argue that it’s necessary so they can manage public space, while critics contend it criminalizes homelessness and exasperates the crisis.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent, emphasized that punishing people for their homeless status is unconstitutional.
The ruling comes as homelessness in the U.S. has surged by 12 percent in the past year.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
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