GRANT’S PASS, OR (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A city in Oregon is becoming the center of a debate over whether criminalizing public camping actually makes being homeless illegal.

Grant’s Pass is a rural city in southern Oregon, and the city’s decision to fine homeless people for sleeping in parks and vans is going in front of the Supreme Court next week.

Grant’s Pass was first barred from fining homeless people in 2018 after another Supreme Court case ruled that it is a form of cruel and unusual punishment. The city has since attempted to appeal the bar repeatedly, but to no avail.

The plaintiffs say that with only one adult overnight shelter in town, the city is giving people no choice of where to go. Groups from across the country have filed “friends of the court” briefs on both sides of the case, offering opinions while not being a part of the actual court case.

Homelessness numbers in the US saw an all-time high in 2023 and West Coast states were hit hard. Oregon had the fifth-highest homeless population in the country and the second highest rate of unsheltered homeless people.

The Supreme Court will hear the case next Monday, April 22.