Grants Pass Faces Lawsuit Over Homeless Camping Regulations
The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, known for being at the center of a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year regarding homeless camping policies, is now embroiled in a new legal battle concerning its regulations. Disability Rights Oregon has filed a lawsuit, asserting that the city is not adhering to a state law mandating that camping regulations must be “objectively reasonable.”
Tom Stenson, deputy legal director of Disability Rights Oregon, expressed a resilient outlook on homeless advocacy despite the challenges presented by the Supreme Court’s decision. He emphasized that the urgent need for housing will persist, regardless of legal setbacks.
Officials in Grants Pass have thus far refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, as indicated by an email from the city’s information coordinator.
The Supreme Court’s ruling last June positioned Grants Pass as a focal point in addressing homelessness in America. It empowered cities nationwide to impose bans on outdoor sleeping and impose fines, even in situations where shelter beds are insufficient. This decision has given new impetus to the city’s leadership as they navigate the complexities of the local homelessness crisis, which has divided public opinion.
With only one overnight shelter available in the city— the Gospel Rescue Mission, which imposes restrictions such as mandatory participation in religious services and prohibits pets, alcohol, and smoking—many individuals experiencing homelessness find this option unsuitable. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Grants Pass City Council identified two designated areas for homeless individuals to camp; however, recent actions taken by the newly elected council members have prompted renewed concern.
Just last week, the larger of these designated camping sites, which provided shelter for approximately 120 tents, was shut down, leaving only a smaller site accessible during restricted hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. This change compels people experiencing homelessness to relocate their belongings daily without a safe space to store them, creating added difficulties in an already precarious situation.
The lawsuit highlights that the city’s approach appears to aim at discouraging homelessness through increasingly stringent measures. Disability Rights Oregon criticized the recent policies, particularly the timing of the restrictions during winter months, arguing that this exacerbates the situation for many individuals, particularly those who are elderly, ill, or disabled.
Five individuals experiencing homelessness, with varying disabilities, are named as plaintiffs in the case. Among them is Janine Harris, a 57-year-old resident of Grants Pass for over two decades who has faced homelessness for the past four years. Citing her struggle with PTSD and physical conditions like arthritis, she described the dire situation following the closure of the larger campsite and her ongoing search for a safe place to stay. Harris’s desire for city officials to recognize the humanity of homeless individuals motivates her involvement in the lawsuit.
The legal complaint argues that the city’s camping regulations discriminate against people with disabilities, claiming that the requirements to frequently relocate are unreasonable and detrimental to their well-being and that these regulations fail to comply with state law.
Disability Rights Oregon seeks a court order to halt the enforcement of these camping regulations, emphasizing that homelessness remains a significant challenge across the nation. The issue has seen a stark increase, with last year recording an 18% rise in homelessness largely attributed to the lack of affordable housing along with disaster-related displacements and increasing migration trends.
In light of the ongoing challenges surrounding homelessness, the community and its leaders are likely to face continued scrutiny and legal challenges as advocates push for more humane and reasonable approaches to housing and support for vulnerable populations.
