Growing Coalition to Host Rally for Unhoused on 6/25

With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule very soon on a pivotal case that is expected to have lasting effects on homelessness policy, we invite you to the courthouse steps in Norristown on June 25 at 5:30 p.m.  Organizers including the Norristown Hospitality Center, Montco 30% Project, Better Days Ahead, Habitat for Humanity (Montco/Delco), Ann Frances Outreach Foundation, and POWER Interfaith will show their solidarity with the unhoused, who in recent years have faced criminalization for having nowhere else to sleep.  

“When we as a society fail to build enough affordable housing and fund emergency shelter operations, many individuals are left with no other option than to sleep outside or in their vehicles. Increasingly across this country, local governments have tried to penalize people and force them into the shadows. We won’t silently stand by,” said Mike Hays, director of the Montco 30% Project. 

Later this month, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case that weighs whether or not municipalities can punish people for camping outdoors and sleeping in parks when they have nowhere else to go. 

Sunanda Charles, executive director of the Norristown Hospitality Center, stated: “I am anxious about what will happen if the Supreme Court does not uphold the lower court’s decision on this case. We will see criminalization of unsheltered individuals at a more rapid rate than we see now. It will only push people deeper into homelessness and poverty. People experiencing homelessness will face tickets and fines for sleeping and camping in public spaces. What people need is housing and not penalties for sleeping outside."

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