Press Releases

Today’s Supreme Court decision that allows people experiencing homelessness to be
arrested for sleeping in a public place is a profound step backward in our nation’s efforts to
address homelessness. This ruling not only criminalizes the behavior of our most
vulnerable neighbors but also disproportionately impacts unhoused people of color, who
have historically faced systemic oppression and criminalization in this country.
Our frontline workers at St. Joseph Center, the majority of whom have experienced
homelessness, engage daily with unhoused Angelenos, witnessing firsthand the struggles
they endure due to systemic racism and lack of access to resources. The decision to
penalize people for the mere act of sleeping outside when there are insufficient shelter
beds available highlights a troubling disregard for the fundamental human rights of those
affected.
The disparate impact this ruling will have on people of color facing homelessness and
housing insecurity is particularly concerning. Instead of addressing the root causes of
homelessness, such as the lack of affordable housing and economic opportunities, this
decision places undue burdens on those who are most impacted by our country’s systemic
failures.
Criminalizing our unhoused neighbors further exacerbates homelessness, creating a
vicious and dangerous cycle of jail, debt, and continued homelessness. According to the
Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated people are almost ten times more likely to be
homeless than the general public. People who have been to prison even just once
experience homelessness at a rate nearly seven times higher than the general public. A
criminal record can also reduce the likelihood of a callback or job offer by almost 50
percent.
“The Supreme Court’s decision is a stark reminder of the deep-seated inequities that
persist in our country. By criminalizing homelessness, we are punishing individuals for
systemic failures,” says Dr. Ryan J. Smith, President and CEO of the St. Joseph
Center. “Our focus should be on creating sustainable solutions that address the root
causes of poverty, lack of affordable housing, and homelessness, not on penalizing those
who are most vulnerable. We must strive for a future where everyone has a safe place to
call home.”
At St. Joseph Center, we remain committed to supporting our unhoused siblings by
advocating for policies and programs that provide real solutions. We stand in solidarity
with those unjustly impacted by this ruling and call on our leaders to focus on
compassionate, effective strategies to end homelessness in this generation.
St. Joseph Center urges all community members and policymakers to join us in
advocating for just, humane, and practical solutions to homelessness. Together, we can
create a society that values and uplifts every individual, regardless of their circumstances.
About St. Joseph Center
For 47 years, the St. Joseph Center has worked to address and end homelessness and
poverty in Los Angeles. St. Joseph Center seeks to provide individuals, youth, and
families experiencing homelessness and poverty with comprehensive housing, outreach,
mental health, and job skills training tools necessary to thrive in Los Angeles and beyond.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell led a “Welcome Home” celebration for 27 formerly homeless individuals who successfully transitioned from years of living in encampments to apartments, thanks to LA County’s Pathway Home program.

During the Welcome Home celebration, Supervisor Mitchell provided housewarming presents and L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net hosted a luncheon for the Pathway Home participants who are new tenants at The Dalton.

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