MACON, Ga. — Homeless encampments have been a growing concern in Georgia and across the country.
Two weeks ago, we reported about concerns over a homeless camp off Emery Highway in East Macon. That resulted in a visit from Macon-Bibb County Code Enforcement. Bibb County spokesman, Chris Floore, told us they had no plan to remove the camp.
Now, the United States Supreme Court has a decision to make on how local governments can restrict homelessness in public.
Justices will debate whether cities can issue tickets to people who are camping outside when shelters are full.
The case comes from a city in Oregon called Grants Pass. The justices heard arguments Monday on whether ticketing those living on the streets counts as “cruel and unusual” punishment and thus violates the Eighth Amendment.
In Macon, Sister Theresa Sullivan is the director of Daybreak, a homelessness center in Macon. She said they offer resources to help people of homelessness, from hot meals, to mental health counseling, and assistance with paying for medications.
"In Macon, people have been really working hard on the agencies, and the mayor, and the commissioners, to really try to address the core issues regarding homelessness," Sullivan said.
She said since she started at Daybreak seven years ago, the county's expanded options for temporary and transitional housing, including Brookdale Resource Center, Hello House and the Salvation Army.
Sullivan said ticketing everyone who has to sleep outside would only create a deeper problem.
"To tell you the truth, if people have no money to add another fine on top of a fine- so then what are you going to do if they don't pay their fine? You're going to put them in jail?" she said.
Sullivan said fines don't target the root causes of homelessness, like affordable housing. That's why Daybreak is opening a new center right next to their building that will house 82 people at affordable housing rates. It's set to open up in May.
Jake Hall, who is the executive director of United Way of Central Georgia, agrees that affordable housing is a key component to bringing people off the streets.
"The Miller administration has worked to double emergency bed capacity since coming into office, and has used ARPA funds and other COVID-related funding to ensure that we have a deep investment in affordable housing," Hall said.
He said the real problem is when cities criminalize homelessness but don't do anything to provide housing.
"I don't believe communities have to choose between criminalization and commerce for example. And I think you don't have to ignore your compassionate heart in order to address these other more complex issues," Hall said.
He said the county takes a holistic approach to help people get the assistance they need, instead of immediately resorting to fines and tickets. He said when law enforcement does have to take action with homelessness, they work with Macon's social service agencies.
For example, if they have to break up a camp, they first try to find space for those people in transitional or temporary housing.
The Supreme Court will likely decide on the case out of Oregon this summer.