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    Commission on Homelessness & Poverty

    The Commission is committed to educating the bar and the public about homelessness and poverty and how the legal community and advocates can assist those in need.

    Criminalization of Homelessness and Poverty Post-Grants Pass Is Still Unlawful and Ineffective at Reducing Homelessness

    The Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice's Human Rights Magazine recently released "Criminalization of Homelessness and Poverty Post-Grants Pass Is Still Unlawful and Ineffective at Reducing Homelessness." This thoughtful article was written ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty Chair Michael Santos, Erica McWhorter, Laura Riley, and Kirsten Anderson. In this article, they explain the Supreme Court's Grant Pass decision, how this decision is being used by states and cities to engage in unlawful, punitive approaches to homelessness, and why and how cities, states, and advocates can move to a better approach.

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    Homeless Courts Initiative

    The ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty is the only national provider of technical assistance and training for the implementation of Homeless Court Programs. Since 2001 when the ABA Commission first began its initiative to foster the replication of homeless courts, it has responded to nearly 1,200 technical assistance requests from communities across the nation and abroad. The Commission provides technical assistance and educational resources to communities via virtual and in-person trainings, organizes regional and national conferences, and develops educational resources and reports.

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    New CHP/COLA Collaboration - Fostering Stability in Aging

    The ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty and the ABA Commission on Law and Aging have collaborated to design a resource hub for attorneys and other advocates supporting older adults at risk of poverty and homelessness.

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    2025 Curtin Fellowship Applications Now Open

    The Commission on Homelessness and Poverty is now accepting applications for the 2025 Curtin Fellowship. The Fellowship will pay a $3,500 stipend to three law school students who spend the summer months working for a bar association or legal services program designed to prevent homelessness or assist homeless or indigent clients or their advocates. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March 28, 2025.

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    Grants Pass v. Johnson

    Statement of ABA President Mary Smith

    CHICAGO, June 28, 2024 — Today the Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson holding that the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. While not directly addressing homelessness, this case could have practical implications for the homeless and unhoused populations permitting cities and states across the country to issue fines or impose jail time for violations of laws involving life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping in public spaces. With today’s ruling, it is even more critical for states and local communities to find constructive ways to address the root causes of homelessness and treat those affected with compassion and dignity. The ABA remains committed to finding solutions to homelessness by advocating for the revision of laws and policies to address the challenges that arise when the demand for shelter, housing and services exceeds supply. Instead of criminalizing homelessness, the ABA encourages city, state and local governments to support efforts to increase shelter, housing and services to adequately address the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

    How the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson affects people, states, and local governments

    On June 28, 2024, the US Supreme Court issued a decision in City of Grants Pass, OR v. Gloria Johnson, the most significant case on homelessness in over 40 years. Reversing over 10 years of lower court precedent in the 9th Circuit, and sidestepping a 62-year-old precedent, the Supreme Court ruled the 8th Amendment’s cruel and unusual punishment clause does not prevent municipalities from ticketing, fining, and otherwise criminalizing homeless persons even if no shelter is available. Join us for a discussion on the impact of the decision on unhoused people, and state and local governments, and become inspired by advocates for the unhoused and lawyers representing state and local governments as all parties look forward to advancing the societal and governmental response to unhoused individuals needing shelter and services.

    About Us

    Learn more about the Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, housed within the ABA Center for Public Interest Law.

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    Support the Commission's Work

    Your gift will educate the bar and the public about homelessness and poverty and how the legal community and advocates can assist those in need. Make your charitable gift to the ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty online today!

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    Join Us

    We welcome you to join us. Lawyers working in government or legal/public service not-for-profit organizations engaged primarily in legal- or policy-based advocacy for low income persons qualify for reduced dues as members of the American Bar Association.

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