Following the US Supreme Court's recent decision to criminalize public camping in Grants Pass vs. Johnson, US Senator Ron Wyden and US Representative Suzanne Bonamici -- both of Oregon -- said they are leading colleagues in urging the Biden administration to advance evidence-based solutions to help people experiencing homelessness.
The lawmakers wrote President Biden: "Punishing unhoused individuals for sleeping outside when there are no adequate shelter or housing options does not solve homelessness or address its causes. It is cruel and cynical to impose penalties on people who may be facing real, human challenges like unaffordable rent, financial emergencies, or health and mental health challenges."
According to Wyden, homelessness increased by 23% in 2023 nationwide -- and it increased even more in Oregon -- due to the lack of affordable housing, the lack of health care resources, and an end to effective pandemic relief measures like rent assistance, among other challenges.
Wyden said punishing people for existing while unhoused -- while no shelter or housing options exist -- is demonstrated to worsen homelessness and can cost more than providing housing. He held a press conference at AllCare Health in Grants Pass on Thursday.
The lawmakers wrote: "The solution to ending homelessness is more affordable housing, which is most effective when combined with individualized and voluntary support services. Placing housing at the center of solutions to homelessness as well as expanding programs like alternative crisis response, re-entry services and workforce development is essential to creating policies to tackle the issue."
