Grants Pass, Oregon is tackling its homelessness crisis with a bold new strategy: banning public camping while setting up designated areas where the homeless can stay temporarily. The city’s unanimous decision comes on the heels of a pivotal Supreme Court ruling, giving local authorities the power to enforce outdoor sleeping bans.
Grants Pass Bans Public Camping
Grants Pass, a small city in Oregon, has voted to ban camping on public property while designating specific areas for the homeless. The City Council unanimously agreed to create four designated sites where tents can be set up, marking a significant shift in local policy.
A Response to the Supreme Court Ruling
This decision follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows cities to enforce outdoor sleeping bans. Local leaders in Grants Pass have been grappling with the growing homelessness crisis, which has caused deep divisions within the community.
Mayor Supports New Anti-Camping Laws
Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol expressed her support for the new laws, emphasizing the need to protect park spaces. She highlighted the importance of balancing the needs of the homeless with maintaining public order.
Supreme Court Clears Path for Enforcement
The Supreme Court ruling, which found that outdoor sleeping bans are not unconstitutional, has given the city the green light to enforce its anti-camping ordinances. The decision overturned a previous ruling that had blocked such enforcement due to a lack of shelter space.
New Rules to Take Effect Soon
The city’s new camping restrictions will take effect once the federal injunction preventing enforcement is lifted. Homeless individuals will be required to camp in the designated areas, with fines imposed for violations.
Limited Shelter Options in Grants Pass
Grants Pass has only one overnight shelter, the Gospel Rescue Mission, which offers 138 beds. However, strict rules at the shelter, including mandatory religious services and prohibitions on alcohol, drugs, and pets, deter many from staying there.
Temporary Camping Sites with Flexible Stays
Grants Pass has designated one site where people can camp for up to four days, while the other three sites allow only one-day stays. However, due to a state law requiring 72-hour notice before removing belongings, individuals can effectively stay longer—up to a week at the longest-stay site and about four days at the others.
Unlimited Movement Between Sites
Campers can move freely between the designated sites with no restrictions on how often they switch locations. This flexibility allows them to cycle through the “allowable locations” without facing penalties for extended stays.
Short-Term Solutions, Not Permanent Shelters
The designated sites are not intended to serve as permanent shelters or long-term solutions, according to city officials. Basic amenities like toilets, hand-washing stations, and dumpsters will be provided, but the sites will remain unstaffed and are viewed as temporary measures.
Future Plans for Homeless Services
Grants Pass plans to continue searching for additional properties to expand camping options. The city also has long-term plans to build more shelters, including one for individuals waiting for residential drug treatment, and is considering incentives for developing affordable housing.
A National Crisis Reflected Locally
The homelessness crisis in Grants Pass mirrors a nationwide issue, with homelessness in the U.S. rising by 12% last year to the highest level since 2007. Soaring rents, reduced pandemic aid, and limited access to mental health and addiction services are contributing to the crisis, with certain groups, including older adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color, disproportionately affected.
Increasing Numbers of Unhoused Individuals
An estimated 650,000 people in the U.S. are currently homeless, with nearly half sleeping outdoors. The ongoing rise in homelessness underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions at both local and national levels.
