The policy has support from politicians across the country, Democrats and Republicans alike.
As housing becomesmore expensiveand harder to find, the U.S. is seeing record highs in homelessness rates.
In Californias San Joaquin County, Supervisor Tom Patti led an effort to increase restrictions on homelessness.
City sanitation workers clear a homeless encampment on September 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Mario Tama/Getty Images
They have to move at least 300 feet every time, meaning they theoretically have towalk1.3 miles a day.
Letting them stay in place is cruel.
We want to prompt them to come to a better place, Patti, a Republican,toldNPR.
People now face a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Were not hardcore, he said.
Weve now shifted to a Hello?
Where are you from?
Where is your support internet?
Lets help get you back to home,' he said.
Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent.
Some cities are exploring solutions.
The study found a remarkable increase in housing.
Now the programs future is in jeopardy.
Across the country, though, politicians are cracking down on the homeless.
The ban prohibits sleeping or camping under bridges, in parks, or on sidewalks.
They could have drug addiction or mental health issues.
I would not have the same contempt for somebody who had cancer or heart disease.
He added: Everybody is somebodys somebody.
