The temporary resting site at 755 SE J Street in Grants Pass has officially been closed, marking the end of its operation as a designated area for unhoused individuals. The site, initially established by the City Council in 2024, is being cleared to make way for the construction of a Replacement Water Treatment Plant, with groundbreaking scheduled for May.
As of the site’s closure, all campers have vacated the fenced area. Grants Pass Police and cleanup crews have begun clearing the location, addressing the hazardous waste, needles, trash, and soiled items left behind. Police Chief Warren Hensman emphasized the safety concerns associated with manually removing such materials, necessitating the use of heavy equipment.
Before the cleanup began, Community Service Officers (CSOs) thoroughly searched the site for any remaining individuals and personal belongings. A second search is planned to ensure nothing of value is missed.
The J Street site was always intended as a temporary measure. The city implemented the resting site to address immediate needs while working on long-term solutions for the unhoused population. In parallel, the temporary camping site on 7th Street has continued operating during restricted hours, from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Community organizations, including U-Turn for Christ and ADAPT, were on hand to assist individuals transitioning out of the J Street camp. Their support was part of a coordinated effort by the Grants Pass Police Department and numerous community partners to ensure a smooth transition for those impacted by the closure. Collaborating organizations included MINT, PATH, HWAM, Mid-Rogue Foundation, UCAN, Options of Southern Oregon, Grants Pass Sobering Center, Maslow Project, WCST, Gospel Rescue Mission, Dove Ministries, On-Track, Veterans Affairs, and others.
Grants Pass Police have been proactive in communicating with unhoused individuals about the closure, providing advance notice to help them prepare. Officers have continued their ongoing work to connect those in need with available resources, including housing, treatment programs, and basic necessities.
A key element of the police department’s approach is its Community Resource Team (CRT), which has been instrumental in building relationships with at-risk individuals. Since its inception, the CRT has facilitated access to essential services, including identification, housing, clothing, and meals. The team’s goal is to balance accountability to laws and ordinances with compassionate assistance.
Additionally, the department has partnered with Options of Southern Oregon to embed case managers within its operations. These advocates work directly with vulnerable individuals, offering support and communication outside of traditional law enforcement interactions. A second advocate is expected to join the team in spring 2025.
The Grants Pass Police Department also supports the Deflection Program, a statewide initiative aimed at providing individuals with substance abuse issues an alternative to criminal charges. Participants who choose to enter structured recovery programs, such as those run by the Sobering Center, have the opportunity to receive ongoing services from organizations like Choices, On-Track, and ADAPT. Since its launch in late 2024, the program has already seen three successful completions.
Through partnerships with ADAPT, the department has also worked to connect individuals experiencing overdoses with immediate treatment resources. Caseworkers are dispatched to hospitals or overdose scenes to facilitate timely interventions.
The closure of the J Street site underscores the city’s efforts to balance public health and safety concerns with providing support to its unhoused population. As Grants Pass moves forward with the development of its new water treatment plant, the city and its partners remain committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable residents through collaboration and innovative programs.