Homeless Encampment Closures Before and After <i>City of Grants Pass v Johnson</i>.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To investigate the impact of evolving antiencampment policies on encampment closures after the US Supreme Court decision in <i>City of Grants Pass v Johnson</i>. <b>Methods.</b> We used descriptive statistics and geospatial analysis to compare encampment closure activity in Oakland, California, before (January 2021‒June 2024) and after (July 2024‒December 2024) the <i>Grants Pass</i> decision. <b>Results.</b> After <i>Grants Pass</i>, monthly closure counts significantly increased and their spatial distribution expanded. Many sites were closed repeatedly. Closures shifted to census tracts with lower household incomes, increased poverty rates, larger shares of Hispanic and Black residents, and smaller shares of White and Asian/Pacific Islander residents. <b>Conclusions.</b> These patterns suggest expanded enforcement activity enabled by the decision, homeless population dispersion because of intensified closure activity, or both. The frequency of repeated closures indicates that this intervention does not effectively resolve encampments. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> To minimize resource-intensive repeat closures and prevent the redistribution of homelessness to more vulnerable communities, jurisdictions should reallocate resources toward expanding adequate shelter and housing. Local governments should also publicly report health, economic, and displacement outcomes of encampment closures. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2026;116(9): 1369-1372. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308473).