As the number of unhoused Americans grows, some jurisdictions are going against the advice of advocates and imposing harsh penalties for sleeping in public spaces.

Cities and states are starting to take harsher measures against unhoused residents, reports Robbie Sequeira in Stateline, in part as a response to more complaints by local businesses and housed residents. However, homeless advocates warn that punitive measures that criminalize unhoused people and only address visible homelessness rarely succeed in getting people into supportive services and housing.
Yet states and cities around the country including Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, San Diego, and Portland, Oregon have passed camping bans that prevent homeless people from sleeping in public areas and performed violent sweeps to clear encampments. “The new Georgia law is the most far-reaching. It goes beyond a camping ban by steering the state away from the ‘housing first’ strategy embraced by many advocates.”
Meanwhile, homelessness rose by 12 percent in 2023 over the previous year, and the end of pandemic-era assistance programs could lead to even more evictions.
FULL STORY: As homeless people become more visible, some cities and states take a tougher line

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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