WASHINGTON (AP) — The most significant case in decades on homelessness has reached the Supreme Court as record numbers of people in America are without a permanent place to live. The justices on Monday will consider a challenge to rulings from a California-based appeals court that found punishing people for sleeping outside when shelter space is lacking amounts to unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment. A political cross section of officials in the West and California, home to nearly one-third of the nation’s homeless population, argue those decisions have restricted them from “common sense” measures intended to keep homeless encampments from taking over public parks and sidewalks. Advocacy groups say the decisions provide essential legal protections, especially with an increasing number of people forced to sleep outdoors as the cost of housing soars. |
Saweetie and YG Marley look cozy as they put on a lovedScientists develop fully integrated memristor chip with low energy consumptionChina announces goodwill delegation to the DPRKWorld Internet SciNew study interlinks super dust storm, aerosol radiative feedbackIn pics: 2023 China New Media Conference in ChangshaLandslides hit Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 18 peopleMeet the Real Housewives star who spent £25m on a 1,000Chinese scientists develop fastBBC presenter confirms departure from 'life