Hampton Defers Vote on Proposed Camping Ban

City leaders say there are not enough permanent housing options for Hampton's homeless population.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:48am

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Hampton City Council has again deferred a vote on a proposed public camping ban. But questions around enforcement have prompted a broader discussion of what penalties are fair and what next steps could be taken to provide more support to people who are homeless.

Why it matters

The proposed camping ban highlights the ongoing challenges Hampton faces in addressing homelessness, as the city grapples with finding the right balance between enforcement and providing adequate resources and support for its unhoused residents.

The details

The latest version of the ordinance would require police to give verbal warning, 'reasonable time' to comply, and provide information about city resources before charging someone with a misdemeanor crime. First violations are Class 4 misdemeanors, which carry an up to $250 fine, and repeat offenses will be Class 2 misdemeanors, with punishment of up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, along with referral to a behavioral health court. The city is also considering a $4.5 million budget allocation to create a tiny home community for permanent supportive housing, and a $200,000 increase in emergency sheltering funding.

  • The City Council deferred a vote on the proposed ordinance until April 8.
  • The city's winter shelter program, A Night's Welcome, is currently in its final weeks of operation for the year and reported a 11% increase in usage and a 13% increase in meals served during the 2024-25 season.

The players

Jimmy Gray

The mayor of Hampton, who said the delay gives council members more time to understand how ordinance enforcement would play out and ensure the city has adequate resources available to support unhoused people.

Brandi Law

The senior deputy city attorney, who told the council that the updated provisions are an attempt to reach the small portion of Hampton's homeless population that routinely refuse the city's outreach efforts.

Mary Bunting

The city manager, who said most of the people the city encounters who refuse help are dealing with extreme unresolved trauma, addiction issues or mental health issues.

Randy Bowman

A city councilmember who asked whether Hampton had enough facilities for people to go to when prompted.

Bob Harper

A local portrait business owner who spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, saying he's had clients not be able to access his studio because people were camping outside.

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What they’re saying

“This is about helping our city, helping our local businesses to address homeless people who are sleeping in public spaces. But at the same time, we want to be somewhat compassionate in this and make sure that we can get people the appropriate accommodation resources they need to address their housing situations.”

— Jimmy Gray, Mayor

“For this group, the answer is not simply tolerance, nor simple enforcement and requires balanced strategy. No one has the right to endanger others, and no one should be abandoned. Wherefore, the city's goal is compassionate in mind, protecting their community while never giving up on the individual.”

— Brandi Law, Senior Deputy City Attorney

“The underserved people out here that are unhoused, they deserve care. They deserve to be evaluated and get to the right area in our community that can give them what they need. Citizens and commerce in Hampton is also being affected by that.”

— Bob Harper, Local Portrait Business Owner

“A $250 fine for public camping storage may seem minor to City Council, but for someone with zero income, that is an insurmountable debt.”

— Sandra Baird, Resident

What’s next

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed camping ban ordinance on April 8.

The takeaway

Hampton's proposed camping ban has sparked a broader discussion about the city's approach to addressing homelessness, with officials seeking to balance enforcement with providing more supportive housing and resources for unhoused residents. The delay in the vote highlights the complexity of this issue and the need for a comprehensive, compassionate strategy.