Saratoga Springs’ Camping Ban: Safety Measure or Punishment for the Unhoused?

By David LaGuerre-

A City Divided Over Public Space

The Saratoga Springs City Council voted 3-2 along party lines to approve a controversial ban on camping in public spaces — a measure that has ignited fierce debate over the treatment of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The ordinance, which took effect on July 1, outlaws tents, tarps, and sleeping bags on sidewalks, in parking lots, and in gazebos.

That vote followed a three-hour, emotionally charged public meeting in which residents, activists, and advocates for the unhoused voiced deep frustration and fear. Some worried this law would criminalize poverty rather than address it. The tension was so high that one speaker was ultimately arrested and removed in handcuffs after a heated exchange.

Supporters: Protecting Accessibility and Order

City officials backing the ordinance, including Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll, argued that the measure was necessary to ensure public areas remain safe and accessible to all, especially people with disabilities. Supporters said encampments on sidewalks or in public gazebos can block pathways, present sanitation hazards, and discourage the broader community from using shared spaces.

From their perspective, the law is about maintaining basic order, public hygiene, and fairness. “Public spaces should serve everyone,” Coll argued, emphasizing that a balance needs to be struck between individual hardship and collective access.

Critics: Targeting the Homeless Instead of Helping

But critics, ranging from local nonprofits to faith leaders and housing advocates, see it differently. They argue that Saratoga Springs is effectively punishing unhoused people for existing, rather than investing in compassionate, long-term solutions to homelessness.

Key facts highlight their concerns:

• The city’s homeless shelter is currently at capacity.

• Affordable housing remains scarce, with waitlists stretching months, if not years.

• Saratoga Springs’ rental market has seen a surge in prices, far outpacing wages.

Given these realities, critics say the ban criminalizes survival, leaving unhoused people with nowhere to go. Fines start with a warning, but repeat violations can carry penalties up to $250 — an unpayable burden for many already struggling.

A Broader Crisis in Housing Policy

This local debate is part of a bigger national conversation about homelessness and how cities handle it. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of over 7 million affordable rental homes nationwide for extremely low-income renters. In New York State alone, tens of thousands of people rely on emergency shelters or transitional housing each night.

Instead of bans, advocates argue cities should:

• Expand emergency shelter capacity

• Invest in supportive housing with wraparound services

• Increase funding for mental health and substance use treatment

• Protect renters from unjust evictions

These strategies, they argue, address the root causes of homelessness rather than simply moving unhoused people out of sight.

Counterpoints Worth Considering

Some residents voiced a very real worry about safety and sanitation. Syringes discarded near playgrounds, fires in tent encampments, and blocked sidewalks are genuine concerns that deserve serious attention. And it is true that allowing long-term encampments in public spaces can harm both unhoused people and surrounding communities.

Yet, research consistently shows that enforcement-heavy approaches alone do not solve homelessness. A 2022 Pew Research Center study found that cities which emphasize housing-first models — prioritizing getting people into permanent housing without preconditions — see greater long-term success and reduced public costs compared to cities that rely primarily on bans and sweeps.

Where Does Saratoga Springs Go From Here?

This debate is far from settled. The ordinance is now law, but it will almost certainly face legal challenges from civil rights groups and continued protests from advocates. It also raises hard questions about Saratoga Springs’ broader housing strategy.

• How will the city ensure enough shelter capacity?

• Will it fund transitional and supportive housing?

• How will it protect the rights of residents with nowhere to go?

The path forward will need principled, evidence-based policymaking — not just a reflexive push to clear out encampments.

Final Thoughts

At its core, this fight in Saratoga Springs is about what kind of community we want to be. Do we see homelessness as a public nuisance to be swept aside, or as a symptom of a broken housing and mental health system that demands urgent, compassionate response?

It is understandable to want clean, safe, and accessible public spaces. But as a society, we cannot look away from those who are suffering. We have to find solutions rooted in dignity and fairness — not just in punishment.

If we are to build cities that reflect our shared values of justice and democracy, we must invest in housing, health care, and social supports that give every person a fighting chance. Let’s keep talking about this, and keep pushing for policy that meets the moment with both wisdom and empathy.

I’d love to hear your take. Feel free to leave a comment below or share this story with someone who cares.