Shreveport City Council met on Monday to discuss Louisiana’s newly enacted statewide ban on public homeless encampments. The council reviewed how local law‑enforcement will apply the law while simultaneously expanding outreach and shelter options for unhoused individuals in the downtown area.
State funding supports local action
The discussion centered on a $10,000 pass‑through appropriation from the state to the Hyssop Care Foundation, a nonprofit that coordinates services for people experiencing homelessness. Council members praised the grant as a critical resource for the city’s “service‑first” strategy, which seeks to connect individuals to housing before any legal action is taken.
Understanding the new law
The Louisiana statute, which took effect a few months ago, makes it illegal to erect structures or place bedding on public property for the purpose of resting or reclining. The law targets public encampments specifically; it does not criminalize being outdoors in general. Encampments on private property remain subject to existing trespassing statutes.
Coordinated response from city agencies
Although the Shreveport Police Department is tasked with enforcing the ban, officials emphasized a collaborative approach that involves multiple partners. The Downtown Development Authority, the police department, Hope Connections, and other community agencies are pooling grant resources to provide outreach, case management, and rapid‑housing referrals.
Through this coordinated effort, staff have identified 44 unhoused individuals who regularly stay in the downtown corridor. City officials said they are working to secure permanent or transitional housing placements for each person before the February deadline set by the state.
Council’s next steps
Council members voted to move forward with the appropriation and to adopt the service‑first framework as the city’s official response to the ban. They also directed the police chief to prioritize outreach and to issue citations only after individuals have been offered concrete housing options.
Mayor Tom McManus, speaking after the meeting, highlighted the importance of balancing public‑order concerns with compassion. “We have a responsibility to keep our streets safe and clean, but we also have a Christian duty to care for our neighbors in need,” he said.
Community reaction
Local faith‑based groups and family‑oriented nonprofits praised the council’s approach, noting that it aligns with traditional values of charity and personal responsibility. Critics, primarily from a statewide advocacy organization that opposes the ban, argued that the law criminalizes poverty. Council members responded by pointing to the grant’s focus on housing solutions rather than punitive measures.
The city plans to release a quarterly report on the program’s progress, including the number of individuals housed, any legal actions taken, and feedback from partner agencies.
What’s next for the law?
Louisiana’s ban on public homeless encampments will remain in effect statewide, and other municipalities are watching Shreveport’s implementation as a possible model. The council’s emphasis on service before enforcement may influence how other cities balance public‑order mandates with compassionate outreach.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
