Georgia Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Lawsuits Over Homeless Policies

Critics say the legislation could lead to the jailing of unhoused individuals.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary park bench in an urban setting, bathed in warm sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the loneliness and isolation of homelessness.The new Georgia law could make it harder for cities to address the complex issue of homelessness, critics warn.Atlanta Today

The Georgia legislature has passed a bill that would allow property owners to sue local governments if they believe policies banning public camping, loitering, or panhandling, as well as limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are not being enforced. Supporters say the bill holds cities accountable, while opponents argue it criminalizes homelessness and could lead to frivolous lawsuits.

Why it matters

The bill is part of a broader push by conservative groups to enact policies that target the homeless population, including banning encampments and increasing cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Critics say the legislation will make it harder to address homelessness and could lead to the jailing of unhoused individuals.

The details

The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Houston Gaines, would allow property owners to demand compensation from local governments if they believe policies banning public camping, loitering, and panhandling, as well as limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are not being enforced. Supporters say the legislation is necessary to hold cities accountable, while opponents argue it criminalizes homelessness and could lead to frivolous lawsuits paid for by taxpayers.

  • The Georgia legislature passed the bill in early April 2026.
  • The bill is awaiting the signature of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

The players

Rep. Houston Gaines

The Republican state representative who sponsored the bill, and is also a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jesse Rabinowitz

The campaign and communications director with the National Homelessness Law Center, who criticized the bill as "ineffective, cruel, and making it harder to solve homelessness."

Sen. Josh McLaurin

A Democratic state senator who called the bill "nuclear bad policy" and said it would lead to a "circus in court" with "spurious claims" about property values.

Justin Kirnon

A city of Atlanta employee who said homelessness is not an "issue that you can just police your way out of."

Sen. Clint Dixon

A Republican state senator who said the bill sends a message that "our laws are optional, and when laws are optional, public safety suffers."

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What they’re saying

“Allowing illegal encampments, theft and disorder to flourish is not kindness. It's neglect.”

— Rep. Houston Gaines, Bill Sponsor

“This bill is ineffective, cruel, and makes it harder to solve homelessness. It's also a thinly veiled attempt by lawmakers to score cheap political points on the backs of immigrant communities.”

— Jesse Rabinowitz, Campaign and Communications Director, National Homelessness Law Center

“What you're inviting is a bunch of court cases where homeowners who are aggrieved at the local government can come make spurious claims about causation and have essentially a circus in court, which wastes judges' time, it wastes juryies time.”

— Sen. Josh McLaurin, Democratic State Senator

“We all agree a lot of things have to be done on this topic, but this isn't the right approach. This essentially turns the city's general fund into a refund pool for any property owner that is dissatisfied with law enforcement's outcomes when it comes to these particular matters.”

— Justin Kirnon, City of Atlanta Employee

“When local governing authorities choose ideology over enforcement, it sends a message that our laws are optional, and when laws are optional, public safety suffers.”

— Sen. Clint Dixon, Republican State Senator

What’s next

The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's desk for signature or veto.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of a broader effort by conservative groups to criminalize homelessness and increase cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Critics argue it will make it harder to address the root causes of homelessness and could lead to the jailing of unhoused individuals, rather than providing them with the resources and support they need.