Supreme Court declines to hear case on ban against people sleeping and camping in public spaces

Supreme Court dec lined to hear an appeal allowing officers ticketing those sleeping in public spaces, a victory for homeless, leaving standing a 9th Circuit Appeals ruling that homeless have a right to sleep outside if shelter is unavailable. In 2009, 6 sued Boise after being ticketed for sleeping outside in parks from $25 to $75. The 9th Circuit declared the local law was unconstitutional, saying it was a “cruel and unusual punishment.” The logic here is that it’s, essentially, criminalizing homeless people when they have nowhere else to go; sleeping outside is not a matter of choice or will, but of necessity. The ruling applies to 9 states, including Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. CA is of note, as both San Francisco and LA are known for high living costs and income inequality, a perfect storm for thrusting people into homelessness.