New Outdoor Sleeping Ban Puts Pressure on Hagerstown’s Homeless as Advocates Push for Housing-Based Solutions

The new ordinance banning sleeping or lodging in city-owned outdoor spaces takes effect on August 8, 2025. The measure introduces fines and potential jail time for individuals found sleeping in parks, on sidewalks, or in city parking lots, stirring concern among advocates and residents over its impact on the city’s growing homeless population. While city officials argue the move is meant to protect public safety and order, critics warn it may criminalize poverty without addressing its root causes.

This article was updated 7/29/2025 to include a copy of the ordinance in question. No content in the article was modified as part of this update.

Washington County has seen an increase in homelessness in recent years. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of homeless in Washington County, there are almost 850 students identified by Washington County Public Schools during the past academic year as homeless. Many of these students are “hotel homeless” or “couch surfing” with no permanent residence.

According to homelessshelterdirectory.org, in 2019 there were 249 homeless in Washington County, which was a 25% increase from 2018. However, that number is not only out-of-date, but also does not reflect the if homeless were sheltered or unsheltered. It is believed that at the time 139 individuals were sheltered while 63 individuals were unsheltered. It is believed there are significantly more homeless in Washington County in 2025, primarily concentrated in the Hagerstown area.

The city’s limited shelter infrastructure of approximately 330 beds includes mostly seasonal, gender-specific, and youth-targeted facilities, leaving significant gaps—particularly in year-round and family-friendly options. Critics of the ban note that without adequate alternatives, many unhoused individuals will simply be displaced, not helped.

The ordinance’s enforcement has sparked a split in public sentiment. Supporters claim it provides needed authority for law enforcement to address disruptive public behavior and protect shared spaces, especially those frequented by children. However, many residents argue the ordinance penalizes people for being poor and fails to recognize the systemic issues—such as housing shortages, rising rents, and long waiting lists for programs like Section 8—that contribute to homelessness. Some council members and the police chief maintain that the ordinance is a limited enforcement tool and emphasize referrals to support services over arrest.

Service providers in Hagerstown and Washington County continue to offer shelter beds, meals, recovery programs, health services, and drop-in resource centers. Yet the region still lacks sufficient capacity, without enough year-round shelter and transitional beds available for the local homeless population. This supply-demand imbalance is not unique to Hagerstown, reflecting statewide and national trends of housing insecurity and underfunded support systems.

Advocates from organizations like the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) and Maryland’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) recommend alternative strategies that focus on housing first rather than punitive measures. These include expanding permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing programs, increasing the supply of affordable units, improving access to healthcare and mental health services, and ensuring year-round shelter options that accommodate high-needs clients. These evidence-based models have shown high housing retention rates and long-term cost savings by reducing emergency service use.

Local leaders have acknowledged the need for long-term solutions, with some council members expressing interest in exploring year-round shelters, rent control, and supportive housing initiatives. Mayor and city officials have also hinted at plans for additional services and a potential roundtable discussion with community partners. However, with the outdoor lodging ban soon in place, its short-term effects will test whether enforcement can effectively coexist with the city’s stated goal of supporting its most vulnerable residents.

The ban will remain in effect for six months, then be re-evaluated by the Mayor and Council.

Radio Free Hub City reached out to REACH and the Community Action Council to attempt to more up to date statistics regarding area homelessness but received no response as of publication of this article.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from State of Maryland homeless statistics, homelessshelterdirectory.org, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Washington County Public Schools, City of Hagerstown meetings and agendas, and previous coverage.

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