On April 22, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Johnson v. Grants Pass, a case centered on whether cities can ticket and arrest unhoused people for simply sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no other safe or adequate housing or shelter options available.

COHHIO is joining advocates around the country for a National Week of Action starting next Monday, April 22 to oppose counterproductive and inhumane efforts to punish people experiencing homelessness and advocate for the only real solution to the homelessness crisis: safe, stable, affordable housing.

Join national leaders, people with lived experience, and allies in Washington, D.C., on April 22 for a Housing Not Handcuffs Rally on the steps of the Supreme Court ( RSVP here.)

If you can’t make it to Washington on Monday, join the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless at an event in Cleveland. NEOCH is hosting a gathering/press conference with local providers, faith leaders, and community leaders to focus attention on the issue at Franklin Circle Church on April 22 at 10 a.m. (1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113)

And please consider raising awareness in your community during the Week of Action by:

  • Meeting with your local, state, or federal elected officials to discuss the real solutions to homelessness.
  • Hosting a roundtable or other gathering where people with lived experience of homelessness can share their stories with elected officials.
  • Writing an op-ed or letter to the editor. Feel free to use our template to customize your message.
  • Amplifying social media from National Homelessness Law Center (@homeless_law) and others.
  • Bringing your elected officials on a site visit to an affordable housing development or other program in your community.

The National Homelessness Law Center created the Johnson v. Grants Pass website with lots of information and resources about this case. And NHLC, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the National Coalition for the Homeless created this toolkit with resources to help you advocate against the rising tide of criminalization.

For insight and guidance on how you can advocate in your community, feel free to contact COHHIO Advocacy Director Gina Wilt.

Thank you!