Grants Pass, Ore. – In a move aimed at addressing the city’s growing homelessness crisis, the Grants Pass City Council voted six to two on Wednesday night to approve the addition of two new resting sites for unhoused individuals. The new sites, located at 714 NW 6th St and 711 NW 6th St, are set to expand the city’s existing network of designated spaces for people experiencing homelessness.
These two new sites, which will add 55 and 44 spaces respectively, are situated adjacent to the current site at 704 NW 6th St. While all three sites will remain separate, their proximity allows for a coordinated effort to provide much-needed support to the city’s most vulnerable population. The new locations are also expected to ease the strain on the existing spaces.
The approval of these new sites follows a recent court ruling. Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Sarah McGlaughlin issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Oregon, halting the removal of campsites or tents from city property. The injunction requires Grants Pass to provide at least 150 resting spaces that are also compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As part of the city’s efforts to meet the court’s mandate, the council’s decision to add the two new sites increases the total number of designated resting spaces to four.
The city’s other existing site, located at 712 NE 7th St near the Grants Pass Police Department, will remain operational. With the addition of the two new sites, the city is one step closer to satisfying the requirements of the injunction and demonstrating compliance with ADA standards.
City officials have indicated that they plan to request the court lift the injunction once the new sites are fully operational. The decision to approve additional resting spaces comes amid growing concerns over homelessness in Grants Pass, as local advocates and residents alike have pushed for more comprehensive solutions.
While some council members expressed concerns about the long-term effectiveness of the city’s approach, others emphasized the importance of offering safe and organized spaces for individuals without permanent housing. The addition of these resting sites is seen as a vital component in the city’s ongoing effort to address homelessness in a way that balances the needs of both the unhoused population and the wider community.
As the new sites are established, city leaders will likely continue to assess the impact on local neighborhoods and services, as well as explore additional initiatives to support long-term solutions for homelessness in Grants Pass.