The Grants Pass City Council has made a significant move to address the local homelessness issue by designating specific areas where camping will be permitted. This decision follows a June ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the city’s ban on camping in public places. However, despite this victory, the city must still comply with a 2021 Oregon state law requiring that regulations on camping be “objectively reasonable.”
In response to these legal obligations, Grants Pass has identified four city-owned locations where homeless individuals will be allowed to camp. These sites are equipped with essential amenities such as chain-link fencing, accessible bathrooms, handwashing stations, and trash services. Additionally, two of these locations will have security cameras to enhance safety.
The designated sites include 1.284 acres at the future Water Treatment Plant on SE J Street, .36 acres in the southwest corner of Riverside Park, 0.7 acres on E. Park Street, and almost half an acre near City Hall on NW 6th Street. The city also plans to eventually open a site next to the police station on NE 7th Street once an existing structure is demolished.
Councilor Dwayne Yunker addressed the concerns of residents during the meeting, acknowledging the challenges the council faces. “We’re trying to fix this as best we can,” Yunker stated. “I don’t want them either. But they’re human beings. We gotta do something!”
The camping at these locations will be temporary. At the Water Treatment Plant site, individuals can stay for up to 96 hours before relocating to another site, while the other three locations will allow stays of up to 24 hours. Under state law, individuals must be given at least 72 hours’ notice to move their belongings before they can be removed from these areas.
The cost of the program is estimated to exceed $250,000 annually, with funding likely coming from a combination of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the General Fund, and council-identified lands and buildings projects.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling in the city’s favor, the enforcement of this new camping regulation is uncertain due to an ongoing federal District Court injunction. The city manager indicated that the timeline for lifting this injunction remains unclear.
Looking ahead, the council intends to address additional aspects of the issue, including car camping and access to potable water at the sites, in future discussions. Additionally, the council has amended the municipal code to clarify regulations related to camping, criminal trespass, and other associated issues.
