National Council of Churches decries Supreme Court ruling criminalizing unhoused persons

The NCC calls on people of faith among its 37 member communions to take action in their local community

by the National Council of Churches | Special to Presbyterian News Service

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” — Hebrews 13:16

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA strongly opposes the Supreme Court’s recent decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, which allows the enforcement of laws regulating camping on public property and has significant implications for homeless individuals across the nation.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash

The ruling determined that such enforcement does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, overturning lower court decisions that sided with the plaintiffs based on Martin v. Boise. That ruling, issued without dissent, upheld the finding by the 9th Circuit that persons experiencing homelessness could not be punished for sleeping in public spaces when no alternatives were available. 

The Supreme Court’s ruling not only overturns a broadly agreed upon precedent but represents a systemic failure to support those most in need. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, approximately 653,100 people in the U.S. experienced homelessness on a single night in 2023, a 12% increase from 2022. Black Americans and other people of color are disproportionately affected. This growing crisis severely impacts the most vulnerable, leading to poor health, lack of safety, and limited access to education and employment opportunities.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

“Jailing people experiencing homelessness will do nothing to address the poverty crisis in Grants Pass or anywhere else in this country. Indeed, it will likely worsen the crisis due to the collateral consequences of having a criminal record,” said Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary. “All this will continue to feed the mass incarceration of those who are poor and will disproportionately affect people of color who have been targeted by policies including Jim Crow segregation, redlining, and various forms of housing discrimination that still exist today.” 

The NCC’s steadfast commitment to justice and support for the unhoused community is rooted in our faith and guided by our Christian mandate to love and serve our neighbors. We are dedicated to creating a future where systemic change addresses poverty, the lack of affordable housing, and inadequate social services.

Our efforts include advocating for legislative reforms, supporting transformative local and national programs aimed at ending homelessness, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by the unhoused. Alongside coalition partners, we have advocated for upholding lower court decisions in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. Through collaboration with diverse organizations, faith communities, and advocates, we amplify our impact and foster meaningful change.

Proverbs 29:7 reminds us, “The righteous know the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such understanding.” Addressing homelessness is essential for creating a just and compassionate society. We urge all who are a part of our member denominations to take action in their local communities, recognizing that change begins at the grassroots level. The NCC provides resources and support to congregations and faith communities to engage in this vital work. Together, we can build a society that reflects the values of justice, compassion, and dignity for all.

Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA brings together 37 member communions, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and more than 30 million Christians in a common commitment to God’s love and promise of unity.