Alaska Beacon: Civil Rights Group Backs Lawsuit to Safeguard Street Sleepers

Alaska’s ACLU is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against punishing people who are forced to sleep outside when adequate shelter is unavailable. The organization joined a friend of the court brief in support of a lawsuit involving a city in Oregon that banned outdoor sleeping. Such ordinances, known as “camping bans,” are criticized for criminalizing homelessness rather than providing support. Last year, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled such restrictions are unconstitutional if shelter is not available. The ACLU of Alaska has filed appeals in cases where unhoused people were removed from parks without access to shelter. Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposal to increase criminal penalties for obstructing public places has raised concerns of further criminalizing homelessness. The state’s homelessness issue has been exacerbated by the lack of low-barrier shelters. The ACLU is calling on elected officials to address the homelessness crisis and improve public safety and housing. The Alaska House Finance Committee recently rejected funding for a low-barrier shelter, with some lawmakers opposing funding for sober individuals. Public health advocates continue to push for solutions to homelessness in Alaska.

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