The future of a controversial law in Morgantown that would penalize homeless individuals for sleeping in public places will be decided by voters in the next city election, following a four to three vote by the City Council to keep the measure on the ballot. The ordinance, which is not currently in effect, would impose fines and jail time for camping on public property and storing personal belongings in public areas. Supporters argue that homelessness has become a safety and health concern in the city, while opponents believe criminalizing homelessness is not the solution. Councilwoman Danielle Trumble, who proposed repealing the ordinance, emphasized that homelessness is a housing issue that requires addressing factors such as poverty and lack of affordable housing.
Morgantown currently has a 28-bed shelter and is working on plans for a warming shelter with 22 additional beds to support the 150 homeless individuals in the city. Council members are balancing the needs of homeless individuals with concerns about maintaining clean, usable public spaces. The upcoming city election in April 2025 will determine the fate of the camping ban. Several other cities in West Virginia have also passed similar bans following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed a similar ban in Oregon constitutional. Ultimately, the decision on the camping ban will be left to the voters and community to determine the way forward.
This article was published by nonprofit news network West Virginia Watch, which maintains editorial independence. For inquiries, contact Editor Leann Ray at info@westvirginiawatch.com and follow West Virginia Watch on Facebook.
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