Homeless Shelter: Say No To Vine St. Homeless Project

Temporary Resting Areas

At the most recent city council meeting, the increase in designated “campsites” or “resting sites” was approved. There are a few important points to consider:

1. This action was necessary to comply with the current legal injunction that prevents enforcement of certain homelessness regulations. Without these designated areas, homeless encampments could proliferate unchecked, with no legal means to intervene.
2. There is no question that these temporary campsites which are located in the downtown area, are creating serious challenges for local businesses and residents. This situation is not sustainable in the long term.
3. It’s important to view this as a temporary solution, implemented only until a more permanent and practical option is developed.

Permanent Shelter (Say NO to Vine Street)

The proposed “Pathways to Stability | Homeless Services | 320 Lind Road, Grants Pass, OR, USA” project could potentially offer a more permanent solution—but not in its current form. While the concept itself may have merit, several critical concerns must be addressed:

1. The proposed location is a 7.8-acre lot on Vine Street that lacks basic infrastructure. Bringing utilities to the site could be extremely costly. Additionally, purchasing or leasing the land under long-term commitments could impose significant financial burdens on the city—costs that many residents are unlikely to support.
2. Most critically, the plan calls for housing 500–600 homeless individuals at this single site. Keep in mind that the judge’s injunction currently requires the city to provide only 150 resting sites. (1)
   • Many of us are familiar with the phrase: “If you build it, they will come.” Establishing such a large shelter is likely to draw more homeless individuals into the area. If the population surpasses 600, there will be increased pressure to construct yet another large-scale shelter, restarting the cycle all over again.
   • Even with this large shelter the city will most likely be required to have at least one non-managed resting site like we have now.
3. The city council and mayor must commit to a shelter of reasonable size, with clearly defined scope and a location that makes sense for the broader community. This project must not become part of the growing “homeless industrial complex.” A 500–600 person facility is far too large. We must say NO to Vine Street.

Additionally, it’s important to ask: who stands to benefit financially from these ventures? Who is backing the proposal and investing in the modular housing units being promoted?

What We DO Need:

1. 24/7 enforcement of existing laws. This alone would help significantly curb ongoing lawlessness.
2. Municipal and drug courts to address the root causes of recurring criminal behavior and reduce the revolving door of justice in our city.

(1) GP City Council to Consider New Ordinance to Restrict Resting in Public Spaces

https://www.kldr.com/news/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1746508699&ucat=2,4&template=KAJO17Column&

“Grants Pass City Attorney Stephanie Nutall reminded the City Council that on April 16th they established four resting locations that will accommodate more than 150 resting sites with many of them ADA-compliant as directed by Josephine County Circuit Judge Sarah McGlaughlin. The attorneys representing the City in the Disability Rights Oregon lawsuit plan to ask the judge to lift the injunction as soon as possible.”

City of Grants Pass City Council Meeting May 7, 2025