Local governments lead the way to solve the homelessness crisis

Local communities, frustrated by the failed progressive homeless policies of their urban neighbors, are taking proactive steps to safeguard their public places, while encouraging those suffering in encampments to accept much-needed mental health and addiction treatment.

The City of Camas became the latest Washington State community to enact a camping ban when its city council unanimously passed Ordinance 25-015 on August 18. The measure appears to be strongly supported by residents as an unscientific, instant poll revealed that 95% of residents were supportive of the measure.

With Portland, Oregon (Multnomah County), across the Columbia River and Vancouver, WA, on its western border, the Camas councilmembers were responding to citizens’ concerns that their parks, sidewalks, and open spaces were being taken over by encampments as the region’s homeless population exploded in the past decade under expensive Housing First policies.

Portland’s homeless population grew from 1,887 in 2015 to 7,038 people in 2024 (a 273% increase!). Vancouver’s homelessness increased 176%, from 662 in 2015 to 1,530 in 2025.

The Camas ordinance states, “It is important to maintain public property consistent with its intended use while balancing the needs of those experiencing homelessness with the impact on the entire community…”

The measure gives law enforcement and social workers another tool to motivate homeless individuals, many on the verge of becoming “chronically homeless,” to seek treatment. Police officers are given the discretion to increase penalties on those who refuse to comply with the public camping ban.

• Notice of infraction
• Up to $100 fine
• Up to $200 fine and 30-day exclusion order from encampment area
• If violate exclusion order, then $500 fine and 90-day imprisonment

Camas Chief of Police Tina Jones said the aim of the new law is not to incarcerate those who are homeless but to get them connected to mental health or addiction services.

The City of Camas joins a growing list of communities who are taking advantage of a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which allows local governments to prohibit camping on public property. Ironically, that court case stems from an incident a couple of hundred miles south on Interstate 5.

The court’s Grants Pass (OR) v. Johnson decision overturned lower court rulings which had previously constrained local communities who sought to keep their public places free of encampments. The Supreme Court stated that governments were not responsible for providing shelter to those cited with breaking local camping bans.

As a result, many communities across the state are now passing anti-camping ordinances. In fact, two of Portland and Vancouver’s other neighbors, the City of Battle Ground and the City of Washougal have already passed similar bills this year.

These Clark County cities are joined by such Washington communities as Auburn, Burien, Lakewood, Marysville, and Spokane Valley (and many more) which since the SCOTUS Grants Pass decision have passed measures that aim to keep their community safe and clean while motivating those on the streets to accept the help they desperately need.

Unfortunately, the progressive Washington State Supreme Court struck down a Spokane citizens’ anti-camping ban initiative which passed with 75% of the vote in 2023. The court’s decision was not on the merit of the ban but more administrative. Since that time the progressives on the Spokane City Council have passed a watered-down version of the initiative.

The state court’s decision on the Spokane initiative does not impact efforts to end Housing First policies in other communities as citizen concerns persist as the state’s homeless population continues to grow. These same public apprehensions over failed homeless efforts are even starting to grow in urban communities where progressive homeless strategies were previously  left unchallenged.

Clark County Matters is pressing the Vancouver City Council to restrict camping in public places. If the city’s progressive councilmembers refuse to act on the group’s proposal (which has 65% public support), then Clark County Matters will consider running a citizen initiative to make this change.

Momentum for change is even growing in King County, where the Quality of Life Coalition is collecting signatures for a ballot initiative. If they reach 50,000 signatures, the King County Council must consider a proposalto ban public camping and issue citations to those who refuse assistance, similar to actions in San Diego and Burien.

The 2024 Grants Pass decision has allowed development of alternatives to failed Housing First policies. Washington’s homeless population continues to grow (4.4% increase last year and over 80% increase since 2013) while needlessly costing taxpayers billions of dollars. While big city progressives refuse to admit the failure of their policies, moderates in suburban communities have chosen to keep their towns clean and safe while at the same time motivate homeless people to use the treatment services that are offered to them that can help turn their lives around