On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court made a historical decision regarding the rights of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States. They determined through Johnson vs. Grants Pass, that it is not cruel and unusual punishment to arrest and/or fine individuals who are sleeping outside in public, regardless of if they have a home or shelter available to them. This disappointing and monumental decision now furthers the criminalization of homelessness and systemic classism and racism I see every day within homeless services.
You may wonder, what does this have to do with my why? Well, this is a recent example of my why and how it keeps driving me as a leader within my community. My why is to use my voice and privilege to raise awareness of inequities and inequalities and my leadership purpose is to use creativity to solve complex issues. I was feeling a lot of emotions on Friday when this news broke with the verdict of the case. I felt infuriated that lawmakers continue to criminalize individuals experiencing homelessness in this country and putting more barriers in place for someone to secure and maintain housing. I felt disappointed that the ruling will do nothing to address the primary cause of homelessness which is the shortage of affordable housing. I felt sad for the dangerous precedent this will set and the retraumatization and harm individuals sleeping unsheltered will experience due to this ruling. Yet, I also feel empowered to continue having and using my voice to advocate for those most at risk in our community. I feel inspired to work with other partners and City and County officials to create innovative and long-lasting solutions to the homelessness crisis we are experiencing.
By having the ability to reflect on my emotional response to this decision, I was able to harness my why and leadership purpose instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching. In a statement from the National Alliance to End Homelessness (2024), they share “the ruling comes at a time when harmful and coercive homelessness policies are on the rise, despite opposition from frontline homeless services providers in communities all over the country” (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2024). I will use my position as a community leader, my leadership purpose, and my why to continue opposing harmful laws and policies that do not further our country toward eradicating the homelessness and affordable housing crisis.
Reference:
National Alliance to end homelessness statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in city of grants pass, Oregon v. Johnson. National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2024, June 28). https://endhomelessness.org/blog/national-alliance-to-end-homelessness-statement-on-the-supreme-courts-ruling-in-city-of-grants-pass-oregon-v-johnson/