GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Early Friday morning, at precisely 12 a.m., the City of Grants Pass began the process of permanently closing the J Street site, which had been home to over 200 unhoused individuals. By 9 a.m., people were seen walking away from the site for the final time, as the city took steps to restrict access to the area, with anyone who enters now subject to citation or arrest for criminal trespass.
The closure comes as part of a decision by the newly elected Grants Pass City Council, which voted to shut down the J Street location and impose restricted hours at the city’s 7th Street site. The J Street site, once a place of refuge for many, will soon be repurposed for a new water treatment plant, according to city officials.
In the wake of the closure, a letter addressed to city leaders and signed by former residents of the J Street lot was found pinned to the fence. The letter, written by Candice Allen, a former resident of the site, reflected the deep emotions of those affected by the closure.
“We used to be just like them. We used to have houses — most of us had houses — jobs, and we were great citizens and we want to go back to that,” Allen wrote. “I don’t want them to think that this is it for all of us because this is not what we hope to obtain at the end of the day.”
Allen’s words provide a glimpse into the struggles faced by many people living without stable housing. Her message was a reminder that the individuals at the site were not always in their current circumstances and still aspired to regain their footing in society.
Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman emphasized that the department had taken steps to notify residents of the site’s impending closure well in advance. In an interview, Hensman outlined the importance of providing ample notice and stressed that community resources would be available to those displaced.
“All of our community partners, like Adapt and Options for Southern Oregon, have been critical in providing support,” Hensman said. “We’ve also expanded our case management services to better assist those in need. Our department has always aimed to be forward-thinking and progressive, and we will continue to hold ourselves accountable in this process.”
Despite the closure, city officials remain committed to ensuring that displaced individuals have access to resources that could help them secure housing and services. The closure of the J Street site marks the beginning of a new chapter, with the city’s focus now shifting toward infrastructure development. However, for many who called the site home, the reality of finding a new place to stay remains uncertain.
As the city moves forward with its plans for the water treatment plant, questions remain about how the growing homelessness crisis in the region will be addressed and whether the resources available will be sufficient to meet the demand.