Las Vegas Valley cities analyze impact of SCOTUS ruling on homeless camps [Video]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Various city bans or rules surrounding homeless encampments have been reinforced by a SCOTUS ruling, supporters say, while opponents fear the unhoused will face criminal penalties amid a shortage of social services and affordable housing.

The cities of Las Vegas and Henderson joined a group of Western cities that filed an amicus brief to ask SCOTUS to rule on the case, impacting how local governments nationwide enforce bans on homeless people camping on public streets. Justices ruled 6 to 3, overturning a lower court’s decision in the “Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson” case.

The city of Henderson released the following statement, Monday:

“The Grants Pass decision restores the tools available to local governments to address the homeless crisis and the City of Henderson remains committed to assist individuals who are unhoused with the ultimate goal of removing barriers and connecting them to necessary social services.”

In the city of Las Vegas, a 2019 ordinance prohibits camping on sidewalks as …