The issue with homelessness starts with the community itself. Everyone has something to say about “them,” yet no one is willing to contribute, either financially or through any form of labor. I know this firsthand because I conducted a poll on the local Nextdoor app, and 57% of respondents said no, 21% said they’d help with both money and labor, and 22% said they’d support with no money but possible labor.
It truly saddens me to see how selfish and narrow-minded people can be. They want to complain about the situation but are unwilling to take any action. The problem isn’t just homelessness—it’s the rising crime and drug issues in our neighborhood.
When I first arrived here 20 years ago, things were different. Homelessness wasn’t stigmatized. People didn’t look down on those who were homeless. They took care of their surroundings, kept things clean, and were treated like everyone else. The real issue lies with the city itself—its leadership, its police force, and how funding is being misallocated. Grants Pass receives most of the funding, especially for its police, yet they do little more than act as a task force enforcing their own rules, rather than addressing the broader needs of the community.
There is a viable solution to this issue, but no one is willing to listen. It could solve everything, but it requires the community to come together, which is unlikely to happen. People here are divided, whether by political beliefs or social status. If we could view each other as equals, maybe we could find common ground, but I fear this is a pipe dream.
Still, if anyone is truly interested in addressing this issue, I have a solution. But it will take everyone working together.
Sincerely,
Bret Court
