How Supreme Court case could impact Fayetteville homeless encampment ordinance
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — The Supreme Court could change the dynamics between the homeless community and cities across North Carolina.
SCOTUS is expected to decide if municipalities banning homeless people from sleeping on the streets is constitutional or not.
It could potentially impact cities that have a homeless encampment ordinance.
Supreme Court to weigh in on how cities address homelessness
In 2022, the city council and mayor in Fayetteville adopted an ordinance. The homeless encampment ordinance made it illegal for the unhoused community to sleep on city property if shelters had available space or if it’s a public safety or health concern.
Several people were fined for violations when the ordinance first rolled out. However, those cases were reportedly dropped.
Fayetteville leaders said as of right now, the city’s ordinance is within precedence of the lower court’s ruling, since it has a shelter provision.
However, SCOTUS’ ruling could change things if the lower court’s decision is overturned.
“If [Supreme Court Justices] say a city can’t make an ordinance of that type, then we would have to remove it,” Brook Redding, Special Projects Manager for City of Fayetteville said.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on this case by June.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
