Impact of Supreme Court Ruling on Homeless Encampment Sweeps in Oakland

Increased Encampment Sweeps in Oakland

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling granting cities more power to manage homelessness, Oakland, California, saw a sharp rise in the number of encampment “sweeps.” A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that sweeps more than doubled after the 2024 decision.

The Supreme Court’s Decision

In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. The dispute centered on an Oregon city’s enforcement of anti-camping laws against the homeless, even when shelters were full. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that enforcing anti-camping laws did not breach the Eighth Amendment, which bans cruel and unusual punishment. This verdict overturned a previous ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Encampment Closure Data

Research using 785 reports from the City of Oakland showed a substantial rise in encampment closures after the ruling. Before the decision, Oakland averaged 14.4 closures monthly from 2021 to 2024. Post-ruling, this average jumped to 32.2 closures monthly. New closures averaged 17.5 per month, while repeat closures were 14.7 per month. Some locations were repeatedly closed, with one site being cleared 18 times over four years.

The study also found racial and ethnic differences in neighborhoods where closures took place. After the ruling, closures were more prevalent in areas with higher Hispanic and Black populations.

Study Insights on Sweeps

The study identified two interpretations of the findings: the ruling allowed broader law enforcement, leading to new locations being swept, and previous closures led to more dispersed encampments. Jamie Chang from UC Berkeley questioned the effectiveness of sweeps, citing their high cost and repetitive nature.

C.J. Gabbe from Santa Clara University noted that sweeps disperse people rather than solving homelessness. He expressed concern that Oakland’s strategy moves vulnerable individuals into even more fragile areas instead of securing stability for them.

Homelessness in the U.S.

Homelessness remains a significant issue in many American cities due to inadequate shelter capacity and affordable housing. The 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development highlighted California as home to the largest homeless population, with about 187,000 people. It was followed by New York with roughly 158,000, while both Florida and Washington reported over 31,000 homeless individuals. The report stated a total of over 770,000 homeless individuals were recorded on a night in January 2024, marking an 18 percent rise from 2023.

President Donald Trump has committed to removing homelessness from public view. In March 2025, he signed an executive order directing the National Park Service to remove all homeless encampments and graffiti from federal lands in Washington D.C.