A bill that would make it unlawful for local governments to allow or authorize any person to “regularly engage in public camping or sleeping on public property, including, but not limited to, public buildings or grounds and any public right-of-way” received a favorable report in a House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
The bill, however, includes a significant exception. House Bill 781 would allow local governments by “majority vote” to designate local government-owned property located within its jurisdiction to be used for a “continuous period of up to one year for public camping or sleeping purposes.” Local governments can renew the one-year period.
Rep. Brian Biggs (Photo: NC General Assembly)Rep. Brian Biggs (R-Randolph) said he sponsored the bill after leaders of local municipalities came to him looking for guidance in handling homelessness. Biggs insisted the bill doesn’t criminalize homelessness as some critics contend.
“It addresses the use of public property for camping and sleeping without prohibiting homelessness,” Biggs said. “It does create clear guidance. We need guidance.”
In addition to Biggs, HB 781 is cosponsored by GOP Reps. Neal Jackson, Jennifer Balkcom and Mike Schietzelt — who represent parts of Randolph, Moore, Henderson, and Wake counties.
Under the bill, counties or municipalities designating property for encampments must establish and maintain minimum standards and procedures designed to:
Ensure the safety and security of the designated property and the persons lodging or residing on the property. Maintain sanitation, including, at a minimum, by providing access to clean and operable restrooms and running water. Coordinate with the county health department to provide access to behavioral health services, which must include substance abuse and mental health treatment resources. Prohibit illegal substance use and alcohol use on the designated property and enforce the prohibition against such use.Several people signed up to speak against the bill. They were only given one minute each to speak.
Otto Harris, a pastor speaking on behalf of Ken Carter, bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, said HB 781 treads on the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
“How can we push down folks who are already down?” Carter asked. “Seems like it’s impossible, but this bill has figured it out.”
Harris said the bill will criminalize homelessness and place unhoused people in “harm’s way with potential penalties, fines, court dates, blemishes on their record.”
Chris Nobblitt, an organizer for Durham-based National Union of the Homeless, said the bill will lead to deaths if approved.
Chris Nobblitt (Courtesy photo)“This bill will kill the Hurricane Helene victims that have still not gotten help from FEMA or the state,” Nobblitt said. “This bill will kill veterans that serve my country, please do not let this bill pass.”
Nobblitt compared “sanction encampments” to “concentration camps.”
“If you really wanted to help homeless people, then you would help to unlock the 27 empty homes for every homeless person. You would help us get Medicaid for every person,” Nobblitt said. “You would raise the minimum wage so we could afford the sky-high rent that the corporations in North Carolina are holding hostage.”
According to the N.C. Housing Coalition, there are 1.1 million families in North Carolina who are burdened by housing costs. The group’s annual County Profiles reported that 48% of renters and 19% of homeowners in North Carolina pay more than 30% of their income on housing. Families that spend more than 30% of income on housing are considered cost-burdened. In 2024, homelessness in North Carolina increased 19%, as the official count reached a total of 11,626 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Chris Sharp of the conservative, Texas-based Cicero Institute, spoke in support of the bill.
“This bill allows for local governments to establish sanctioned camping, camping areas that provide basic sanitation, access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, along with protection from gangs drug dealers, which often prey on these vulnerable individuals,” Sharp said. “HB 781 also provides for protection of individual property and small business property rights.”
Bill critics have said they believe Sharp’s group represents is behind HB 781.
“I’m also glad today that the Cicero Institute has finally revealed itself as the sponsor and lobbyist for this bill,” said Latonya Agard, executive director of the N.C. Coalition to End Homelessness.
Dr. Latonya Agard (Courtesy photo)Agard noted that the Cicero Institute was founded by billionaire venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale who she said has opposed Housing First policies that prioritizes getting people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.
“They have provided the template for this bill in other states around the country as an opposition to Housing First, which is documented and clearly has evidence that it does work when it is funded properly,” Agard said. “This bill does not take into account the issue that there is not enough affordable housing as homelessness has increased, as the number of people who are unsheltered has increased, our affordable housing availability has decreased, and that is why we see so many people in this need.”
Benjamin Horton (Photo: Veterans Services of the Carolinas)Benjamin Horton, director of outreach at Veteran Services of the Carolinas, said he’s concerned about whether municipalities can keep veterans safe in such encampments. Horton also worries about being about to find veterans to provide services if the bill becomes law.
“We’re a very stubborn bunch,” the U.S. Navy veteran said. “You’re telling us where we camp, where we can’t camp. That’s going to make it harder on street outreach folks, mental health folks who are working with the VA for multiple services.”
Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) said the bill doesn’t solve the problem of homelessness. Lawmakers must address low wages, mental illness and other conditions that lead to homelessness, she said.
A person making minimum wage — $7.25 per hour — and working two, 40-hour a week jobs can’t afford to pay rent, Budd said.
“You do that for two jobs, you’re at $30,160 [a year], so when we talk about solutions for homeless people, we need to not just be talking about affordable housing,” Budd said.
HB 781 received a favorable report. It was referred to the House Committee on State and Local Government.
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