LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 28 in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities can ban camping in public spaces.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 28 that cities can ban camping in public spaces

  • Street camping, often an option for the homeless, is already banned in Louisville with exceptions

  • Nina Moseley at Wayside Christian Mission said she hopes the ban is enforced in Louisville

  • However, other advocates said the ruling will criminalize homelessness

The court is arguing such a ban does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s protections against cruel or unusual punishment.

Street camping, often an option for the homeless, is already banned in Louisville with exceptions. Louisville Metro has an ordinance limiting camping in public spaces.

“Louisville has had an ordinance against camping on the street forever," said Nina Moseley, chief operating officer at Wayside Christian Mission. "It's just not enforced. So I believe it's time to start enforcing it because it's making a definite impact on our economy." 

The Safer Kentucky Act, which goes in effect next month, also bans camping in public and private spaces.

Moseley has helped the homeless community for 30-plus years by providing emergency shelter.

“We work with the homeless because we believe there's value in every person," she said. "We believe that they can turn their lives around. We believe that they can have a good life, and that's what we want: a good quality of life for people, not a life spent on the street." 

Moseley said she hopes the new bans will be enforced to help get people off the street so they can get the help they need.

“It’s really destroying our cities," Moseley said. "It's making people not want to come to our cities. They're afraid to come downtown, for example, because there's so (much) camping on the street." 

Other organizations said allowing camping bans will criminalize homelessness.

“Arresting or fining people for trying to survive is expensive, counterproductive and cruel," said Maurice Noe, a leader with VOCAL-KY. "It wastes tax dollars on jail instead of help and housing, and it puts the poor further in debt ... the way to end homelessness is through affordable housing and supportive services for those who need them." 

The Safer Kentucky Act allows local governments to create a temporary camping area for unhoused people. Moseley said an outside space is important because some people don’t want to go inside.

“I’ve always advocated for taking an under-used park and making that their camping space," Noe said. "I think if we did something like that … it would be easier for outreach workers to find the people they are working with because they would always know where they are."

The Coalition for the Homeless said on any given night, there are about 600 people who are without shelter in Louisville.

“I hope that it's enforced," Moseley said. "(I'm) crossing my fingers because I want to see people live as human beings, and I don't believe that's what they have on the street." 

Wayside Christian Mission is open 24/7 and is taking in extra people during the hot weather.

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