Proposal would ban temporary or permanent homeless shelters in Cranston

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Following the largest Supreme Court ruling on homelessness in decades, a new ordinance has been introduced to ban temporary or permanent shelters within the city.

Rhode Islanders in Cranston and other municipalities are speaking out due to its expected impact on residents experiencing homelessness.

A new proposal introduced by Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins would prohibit people from using a tent, or any other form of temporary shelter within the city.

Violators would face a $50 fine from Cranston Police, and be issued a no trespass order from the property.

Dozens of people from across the state came out to voice their opposition Thursday in front of Cranston council members.

The ordinance comes after the Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that deemed it cruel and unusual to punish people for sleeping outside if they had nowhere else to go.

The ruling only changes current law in California and eight other Western States, but it also makes it possible to change homelessness policy in cities around the country.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island condemned the proposal Thursday.