The city of Vancouver stated the ruling would not lead to any changes in its approach to the issues related to homelessness
The conservative majority of the United States Supreme Court ruled Friday that laws regulating camping on public property do not violate the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The ruling came in the Grants Pass (Ore.) vs. Johnson case.
In a statement released in response to that ruling, the city of Vancouver stated the ruling would not lead to any changes in its approach to the issues related to homelessness.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling does not change the urgency surrounding the issues related to homelessness or our continued work on this humanitarian crisis. Vancouver’s existing ordinances and related emergency orders remain fully valid and enforceable,’’ the statement read.
“The Supreme Court recognized that addressing homelessness is complex and best left – not to judges – but to the people and their elected representatives to regulate,’’ the statement continued. “This underscores the importance of continued thoughtful discussion on regulating the livability impacts of unsheltered homelessness in our community.
“Over the years, the city has made significant progress in addressing homelessness and related issues, including declaring an emergency in 2023 to expand our efforts to address this crisis and its impacts on both the housed and the unhoused.
“The city is committed to the safety and well-being of everyone who calls Vancouver home. We will continue working with the community and our partners to address the growing complexity and severity of the crisis surrounding this issue.’’
Learn more about Vancouver’s response to homelessness.
Also read:
- Details released on June 17 officer-involved shooting
The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team, led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, is conducting the Independent Investigation of the Vancouver Police Department’s officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 17. - Washington energy choice initiative supporters turn in 431,000 voter signatures
Backers of Initiative 2066 turned in more than 431,000 signatures Tuesday to the Secretary of State’s Office with the hope of getting the measure to protect energy choices like natural gas and propane on this November’s ballot. - County implements warm weather burn ban beginning July 5Starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday (July 5), all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be banned until further notice.
- Vancouver officials seeking community input on the budgetThe development of the city of Vancouver’s 2025-2026 biennial budget is underway.
- Road preservation work along Northeast Sunset Falls Road coming in JulyNortheast Sunset Falls Road has been identified as a priority for road preservation treatments. The road provides access to recreation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
- Firefighters battle stubborn grease fire in Hazel DellFirefighters with Clark County Fire District 6 and Vancouver Fire were called to an early morning blaze at Don Pedro’s Mexican restaurant Tuesday morning on Highway 99 near 63rd Street in Hazel Dell.
- Accessible fishing platform coming to Haapa Boat LaunchClark County Public Works, Parks and Lands is announcing the construction of a new ADA-compliant fishing platform at Haapa Boat Launch Park in Woodland.
There was another Supreme Court decision that will have a dramatic effect on the City of Vancouver for the long term. That is the overturning of the Chevron opinion. In the Chevron case, the Supreme Court directed courts to defer to public agencies when a law is vague. In other words, the bureaucracy was allowed to determine its own authority and the courts were directed to defer to it. That was overturned by the Supreme Court this week. Over the last 40 years, since the Chevron decision was handed down, there has been an exponential expansion of the “Administrative State.” We may begin to see a momentum change.