Hagerstown’s new ban on public camping confronts homelessness amid ongoing needs

HAGERSTOWN – A new city ordinance banning sleeping and camping in public spaces has drawn sharp criticism from community advocates and service providers, who warn the measure punishes vulnerable residents without addressing the root causes of homelessness.

Enacted during the City Council’s Aug. 26 session, the ordinance prohibits setting up temporary overnight accommodations on sidewalks, in parks and on municipal lots. The decision has sparked concern from residents, nonprofits and service groups, who say that enforcement may exacerbate hardship without offering alternatives.

Community pushback grows

Alvin “Mr. Hagerstown” Moses, a well-known city advocate, condemned the ordinance as punitive.

“This is not about solving homelessness,” Moses said. “This is about moving people out of sight. We need to be addressing why people are on the street in the first place.”

Other speakers voiced similar concerns, warning that fines and enforcement could worsen economic hardship for already struggling individuals.

Criticism and calls for housing-first solutions

Critics urged the city to adopt a housing-first strategy that prioritizes permanent supportive housing over punitive enforcement. Local veterans’ groups also voiced concern that the law may disproportionately affect homeless veterans, who already face barriers to stable housing and support services.

Local homelessness snapshot

• As of 2023, approximately 22.7 percent of Hagerstown’s residents live below the poverty line, more than double the statewide average of 9.5 percent.
  
  
• A 2019 HUD count estimated 249 homeless individuals in Washington County, including 25 families, with 22 individuals among unsheltered families.
  
  
• Student homelessness has surged from 116 students in 2006 to 744 now identified as lacking stable housing.
  
  

These trends reflect ongoing housing instability and underscore the tension between enforcement measures and service-based solutions.

Key local resources for help and support

Residents and individuals in need of assistance can access a range of services:

• Washington County Community Action Council
  
  
  • Case management, rapid rehousing, housing counseling, emergency shelter, rental and utility assistance
    
    
  • Address: 117 Summit Ave, Hagerstown | 301‑797‑4161

• Hagerstown Area Religious Council 
  • Offers a “Homeless Street Guide” and referrals to emergency housing and outreach programs like REACH (for individuals), Horizon Goodwill (for young adults), and Community Action Council (for families)
    
    
• Hope Center (Hagerstown Rescue Mission)
  
  
  • Emergency shelter for men, food assistance, life-recovery programs, youth and children’s support
    
    
  • Address: 125 North Prospect St | Shelter beds: more than 10,800 filled to date this year Phone: 301-739-1165
    
• Salvation Army – Washington County
  
  
  • Emergency shelter for women and children (up to 30 days
  • Address: 525 George St | Phone: 301‑733‑2440
    
• Saint John’s Shelter
  
  
  • Temporary shelter for families with children (up to two months), with assistance toward benefits and permanent housing
    
  • Address: 14 Randolph Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21740 | Phone: 240‑513‑6388
    
    
• Horizon Goodwill Youth Shelter
  
  
  • Housing navigation and shelter services for young adults aged 16–24, including rapid rehousing programs
    
    
  • Phone: 301‑733‑7330
    
• Kingdom Behavioral Health Services
  
  
  • Psychiatric and mental health services tailored for individuals experiencing homelessness, including care coordination and therapy
    
  • Address: 33 W. Franklin St, Suite 100 | Phone: 301‑393‑5500

Enforcement moves forward amid debate

Despite vocal public opposition, the council advanced the ordinance. Details on enforcement, including potential fines or removal protocols, are expected to be announced soon.

For critics like Moses, the ordinance falls short of addressing homelessness as a human issue. “We have to stop treating homelessness like a nuisance and start treating it like the human issue it is.”