What are sweeps?

The forced displacement of homeless communities and removal of homeless individuals from an area.

The threat of force, arrest, citation, and/or destruction of property to coerce homeless communities to disband.

The theft or destruction of property, including vehicles. Or any combination of the above

On April 22, 2024 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson. The case determines if the U.S. Constitution allows for local governments to fine, arrest, and jail people for living outside, when they have nowhere else to go.

The City of Grants Pass defines camping as sleeping with a blanket or other covering. If the court sides with Grants Pass, it will give US cities the green light to further criminalize basic survival activities: sleeping, sitting, standing, eating, and more. 

Cities use “sweeps” to enforce anti-homeless laws. Making people move over and over causing immense harm to our communities, including:

For Immediate Release

Press contacts:

Paul Boden (415) 430-7358 pboden@wraphome.org

Julian Highsmith (831) 901-4625Jhighsmith@cohsf.org

Terese Howard (701) 484-2634 info@housekeysactionnetwork.com

WESTERN REGIONAL ADVOCACY PROJECT SUBMITS AMICUS BRIEF OPPOSING THE APPEAL OF THE GRANTS PASS CASE

San Francisco - An amicus brief was submitted today by Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP) on behalf of nine homeless organizations challenging [...]

On January 23rd the City swept an encampment (before the 48 hour posted time) referencing the camping ban to justify the sweep. Andy Phelps, the Director of Encampment Response for the City of Denver, told people there were "over 80 shelter beds available" in effort to justify the sweep.

Originally Post at Stop the Sweeps PDX Portland's camping ban has been on the books for over four decades with devastating impacts on homeless people trying to survive. The camping ban has also faced numerous legal challenges and plenty of protests among homeless people and housed neighbors.

It’s been 292 days since the City’s report back, called for by @cd5losangeles, has been due to come back. LAHSA’s portion was leaked 2 days after LA CAN released our community report, ‘Separate and Unequal.’

How much longer does the community have to wait?

We’ve been reaching out to Councilmembers to meet to discuss LAMC 41.18, our report, and how 41.18 is being used in their districts.

While we wait for the report back, and for the City to schedule a special hearing to discuss all of the parts of it, as well as community voices, we continue to wait for numerous council offices to show that even discussing this is a priority. Where is the report back on 41.18!?

Shutting Down the Lie of Rent - 20th Houseless Resident Becomes Homeful(ness) on the day of global solidarity with Palestine

Word on the Street Cover art by Melanie Cervantes

Housing First is popular among housing advocates and providers, but there's still room for improvement, says a permanent supportive housing resident.

Also, people with mental health diagnoses run into problems making decisions due to their conditions, as a frequent Street Sheet contributor points out.

Plus stories from our partners at Street Spirit and CalMatters! 

In March, the Sogorea Te' Land Trust made history. With the help of the City of Berkeley and countless community members, the group of Ohlone leaders was able to rematriate the West Berkeley Shellmound: one portion of a sacred indigenous burial site which lies beneath the pavement of Spenger's parking lot on Fourth Street.