A growing number of Grants Pass residents are voicing opposition to a proposed homeless shelter and rehabilitation center planned for 1798 SE N Street, located near Riverside Elementary School and a nearby subdivision. The debate, which began as a local planning issue, has now expanded to the city council and the Josephine County Board of Commissioners as both entities weigh the future of the property.
At the center of the opposition is a local community member, Kevin Swiger, who launched a petition urging city and county leaders to relocate the planned homeless site. The petition, titled “Relocate the Proposed Homeless Managed Resting Site Away from Riverside Elementary,” has already gathered more than 600 verified signatures and continues to gain traction among concerned residents.
The property in question sits within approximately 500 feet of Riverside Elementary School, an open campus where students often move freely between classrooms, playgrounds, and outdoor areas throughout the day. The surrounding neighborhood includes several apartment complexes and residential homes, many occupied by families with young children. For many residents, the proximity of the proposed site to a school and family neighborhood is raising significant concerns about safety and suitability.
While few dispute the importance of addressing homelessness and providing services for those in need, the opposition argues that the chosen site poses risks and undermines community confidence in local decision-making. Swiger’s petition emphasizes that compassion and safety can coexist, but that the city must find a location that better balances both priorities.
Supporters of the petition have highlighted several key issues. First is the lack of community engagement in the decision-making process. Many residents claim they were unaware of the proposal until it appeared on city and county meeting agendas. Second, they argue that placing a managed homeless site and rehabilitation center so close to an elementary school could create unnecessary anxiety among parents and educators tasked with protecting children. Finally, residents worry that the proposal, if approved, could negatively affect property values and neighborhood stability.
The proposal has moved beyond city jurisdiction and now requires action from the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, which must approve the lease or sale of the county-owned property to Pathways to Stability or another organization. The nonprofit was among the applicants seeking to establish a managed homeless facility under state and local grant funding designed to address homelessness in Southern Oregon.
For many, the issue is not about rejecting assistance for unhoused individuals but ensuring that such facilities are located in areas where they can operate effectively and safely without encroaching on sensitive community spaces. Residents have suggested exploring alternative county-owned parcels or industrial zones farther from schools and high-density residential areas.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the broader challenges facing Grants Pass and Josephine County in addressing homelessness. Local officials continue to face mounting pressure to provide shelter options in compliance with state laws and federal court rulings, which limit the city’s ability to enforce camping bans without offering adequate alternatives. However, with limited resources and competing public interests, identifying appropriate sites has proven difficult.
County leaders have stated their intent to continue reviewing public input before making a final decision. In the meantime, residents are using platforms like the Change.org petition to amplify their voices and gather community support. The petition’s rapid growth—nearing its 700-signature milestone—suggests strong community engagement and a desire for greater transparency in local government decisions.
As the debate unfolds, the future of the N Street property remains uncertain. Whether the proposal moves forward or is redirected to a new location will depend largely on the discussions and votes expected from the county commissioners in the coming days.
Residents interested in learning more or signing the petition can find additional information online through community platforms dedicated to the issue.