Rising number of public camping bans concern local advocates

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Local advocates for the unhoused are concerned by ordinances punishing public camping in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. 

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, initiated in Oregon, allowing local governments to enforce camping regulations against homeless individuals without violating the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Since the ruling, more cities in Clark County have been considering ordinances to ban camping on public property.

The Council for the Homeless in Clark County, a local advocacy group and a key player in addressing homelessness, has been working to provide advocacy, leadership and solutions to prevent and end homelessness since 1989. CEO Sesany Fennie-Jones expressed concern over these ordinances, emphasizing that they fail to address the root causes of homelessness.

“What I think camping bans do is address the concerns of the community not wanting to see literal homelessness in their community. It does not address why people are homeless, what are we going to do to get them housed,” Fennie-Jones said. “Making people disappear is not the answer. We need to get to the root of the problem.”

Fennie-Jones believes that the primary issue is a lack of affordable housing. Polling data conducted by the Council for the Homeless indicates, in 2023, 8,752 individuals from 4,447 households in Clark County experienced homelessness. Of those interviewed, 1,623 individuals cited the inability to afford rent as the primary reason for their homelessness, making it the leading factor in the area.

Council for the Homeless Chief Operating Officer Sunny Wonder also voiced concern about the long-term impact of punitive ordinances nationally. Wonder explained that these laws only create additional barriers for the unhoused, as paying fines becomes more difficult for them. Wonder added that if individuals receive a criminal record for their behavior, they may be rejected for apartments, making it even harder to secure stable housing.

“The hard but real fact is that the thing that solves homelessness is housing,” Wonder said. “We struggle with having affordable housing in our community.” 

“A person that doesn't have a home can't sleep outside,” Fennie-Jones added. “What are they supposed to do, especially in a city that doesn't have the resources to provide shelter or affordable housing?”



Woodland, meanwhile, has already enacted a camping ban. On Nov. 4, 2024, the Woodland City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting camping and storing personal belongings on public property, including parks, streets and sidewalks. The ordinance also bans the use of parked vehicles for camping on city-owned land. Violators face escalating fines starting at $250 for a first offense, with penalties rising to $1,000 and potential jail time for repeat violations. The ordinance allows the city to remove and store belongings left in public spaces, aiming to balance enforcement with community concerns.

Washougal passed a similar ordinance in December 2024, making camping illegal on any publicly owned property. Violators face an initial $75 fine, with escalating penalties for subsequent offenses. The ordinance also prohibits sleeping on sidewalks, streets, alleys or within doorways, as well as storing camping supplies on public property.

Battle Ground is now advancing its own version of a camping ban, modeled closely on Washougal’s ordinance. The City Council is considering Ordinance 2025-02, which seeks to prohibit camping in public spaces such as parks, streets, sidewalks and plazas. The proposal includes provisions for removing personal property from unauthorized encampments and gives violators an opportunity to comply with city code before fines are issued. Repeat violations could result in fines and trespassing charges. The ordinance also outlines measures to connect individuals with social services and shelter options during enforcement. A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for February.

As well, the Battle Ground City Council is working to expand affordable housing options. Last August, the council approved a site plan for Weaver Creek, a development in Old Town Battle Ground, which will provide 100 housing units for residents earning below the city’s median income. The project, developed by the Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA), includes 12 studio apartments, 72 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom units.

However, efforts to collaborate with the VHA have faced obstacles. In April, the council rejected a proposed development, Eaton Park Apartments, which would have created 95 affordable housing units near Alder Pointe Apartments. The rejection was partly due to concerns that, as a public agency, VHA would not contribute property taxes to Fire District 3, impacting its funding. During a presentation at the Monday, Jan. 6, council meeting, VHA representatives affirmed their commitment to paying the fire district’s yearly levy, addressing those concerns and potentially paving the way for future projects.