WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A U.S. Supreme Court ruling is impacting cities nationwide, and Wilmington is no exception.

Justices ruled cities can make it illegal for homeless people to sleep outside. It’s a controversial ruling that has leaders in the community, split.

Katelyn Mattox with the Good Shepherd Center says the ruling will ultimately do more harm than good.

“In best practices, any punitive approach to homelessness is not going to be as successful as providing additional support services,” said Mattox.

Mattox says more affordable and permanent housing are services that can provide a long-term solution to the homelessness crisis.

“We recognize that by creating a ban like that, it is an opportunity for our community to rise and continue to promote additional opportunities for affordable housing,” said Mattox.

Wilmington City Council Member Salette Andrews agrees.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to put people in jail. It’s very, very expensive to house people in jails and hospitals, versus putting them in into a permanent bed,” said Andrews.

Fellow council member Luke Waddell has a different approach in mind.

Just last month, Councilman Waddell brought forward an ordinance to prohibit public camping.

That ordinance was voted down. Now, he is asking the city attorney whether it would be constitutional for the city to approve a public camping ordinance, which would prohibit people from camping on public property

“I look forward to receiving the response from our city attorney and hope the rest of the council will join me in prioritizing public safety in Wilmington,” said Waddell.

But at least one council member will not be joining that initiative.

“I think we need to use the tools that we already have at our disposal to solve the homelessness problem, and not criminalize it,” said Andrews. “I understand that residents and business owners want a solution for the real problems that surround homelessness. But handcuffs won’t provide that solution.”

The only other council member who shared their view with WECT was Charlie Rivenbark. He says he will support Waddell’s public camping ordinance if brought forward again.

Councilman Waddell says the city council will hopefully have a response from the city attorney by the end of the week.

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