Today the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass. Along with CSH and other partners, MHSA has signed onto an amicus brief supporting the Ninth Circuit’s decision to uphold the U.S. Constitution by prohibiting communities from fining or arresting people for merely sleeping outside when they have no access to shelter.
The brief stresses that criminalization of homelessness is not a solution to homelessness, and in fact it only makes it worse. The brief also emphasizes that homelessness is a societal problem resulting from a shortage of affordable housing, and that supportive housing solutions to homelessness have been proven to be effective and cost efficient.
Read the press release from MHSA partner agency, CSH.
Thank you for all you do to support efforts to end homelessness. We’re grateful for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Joyce Tavon
Chief Executive Officer
Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA)