Los Angeles City Councilmembers Introduce Motion To Assess Supreme Court’s Grant’s Pass Ruling Impact on City Regulations
LOS ANGELES – In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling affecting local regulations on camping and sleeping in public spaces, five Los Angeles City Councilmembers introduced a motion seeking a thorough analysis of the ruling’s impact on existing city regulations and pending litigation against the City. The motion asks the City Attorney to assess how the ruling impacts the City’s Municipal Codes, specifically sections 41.18, 56.11, and 63.44, which regulate sleeping, lying, and storing property in public areas.
“This motion is an opportunity for us to correct past policy decisions and implement new guardrails that ensure the safety of our communities, ” stated Councilmember Traci Park. “I am very concerned that if we don’t immediately respond to this ruling, we will continue to see other cities and regions pushing their problems onto Los Angeles.”
“Homelessness remains one of the most complex issues in Los Angeles, and effectively addressing the crisis requires a well-balanced policy that allows the city to regulate encampments effectively,” said Councilmember John Lee. “The motion we introduced today will help us understand how the Supreme Court decision impacts our work in Los Angeles to move people indoors and keep our public spaces clean and safe for all.”
The motion, co-introduced by Councilmembers Traci Park, John Lee, Monica Rodriguez, Curren Price Jr, and, Kevin de León, also directs the Chief Legislative Analyst and City Administrative Officer to report on the ruling’s potential impact on laws in the other 87 cities within Los Angeles County that have similar restrictions on public space camping.
“We must cease the lamenting of the Supreme Court’s decision and focus the LAHSA Commission on the work of ensuring all cities within the COC are building housing and adhering to the same enforcement practice, leveraging LAHSA’s resources to encourage compliance. Cities who provide the housing solutions should be rewarded with the resources,” said Councilmember Monica Rodriguez”
“I represent the district with the highest concentration of homelessness in the nation,” said Councilmember Kevin de León. “While on its face the decision sounds like a victory for cities, in reality, it will result in cities relinquishing their responsibility to build necessary housing. We need comprehensive, compassionate solutions that address the fundamental problem of housing, not policies that displace and neglect those in need. Otherwise, we end up in a race to the bottom pushing unhoused individuals into other cities like Los Angeles.”
Councilmember Curren D Price Jr. stated, “We must carefully evaluate the implications of this ruling for the City of Los Angeles. This decision raises critical questions that demand thorough consideration. We are committed to handling this matter with care and caution, while prioritizing the dignity and respect of our unhoused neighbors and the safety of our communities.”
