
Grants Pass, Oregon faces a new legal challenge over its homeless camping policies, reigniting the debate on how cities handle homelessness.
Key Takeaways
- Disability Rights Oregon is suing Grants Pass over its public camping policies following a Supreme Court ruling.
- The lawsuit claims the city’s policies discriminate against disabled homeless individuals.
- Grants Pass has limited shelter options and recently closed one of two city-owned campsites.
- The legal action seeks to reverse campsite closures and halt restrictions on remaining sites.
- This case highlights the ongoing nationwide struggle to balance public safety with the needs of the homeless population.
New Legal Battle Emerges in Grants Pass
Grants Pass, Oregon, finds itself at the center of a renewed legal battle over homeless camping policies. Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the city’s ban on public camping, Disability Rights Oregon has filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s actions. The activist group, along with five disabled homeless plaintiffs, argues that the city’s policies discriminate against disabled individuals, violating Oregon state law.
The lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon for Josephine County, seeks to address what the plaintiffs see as discriminatory practices in the city’s approach to homelessness. This legal action comes in the wake of the city council’s decision to close the larger of two city-owned campsites and restrict the use of the smaller one, citing unsanitary conditions.
Limited Options for the Homeless
Grants Pass currently has only one overnight shelter which has restrictions that deter some homeless individuals from seeking refuge there. The complaint filed by Disability Rights Oregon states that the available camping space is insufficient, accommodating less than 20% of the homeless population in Grants Pass. This shortage of options has left many homeless individuals, particularly those with disabilities, in a precarious situation.
“A lot of us do not have any idea where to go,” said Janine Harris, a 57 year-old woman who became homeless four years ago.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to reverse the closure of the larger campsite and halt restrictions on the smaller one. It argues that the city lacks a meaningful plan to provide shelter or assist homeless individuals in finding housing, effectively criminalizing homelessness under the guise of time, place, and manner restrictions.
Discrimination Against Disabled Homeless Individuals
A key aspect of the legal complaint is the assertion that the campsites are unsuitable for disabled individuals, particularly those using mobility devices. The lawsuit claims that Grants Pass is violating a state law that requires camping regulations to be “objectively reasonable.” This allegation strikes at the heart of the city’s policies and their impact on vulnerable populations.
Jake Cornett, CEO of Disability Rights Oregon, has been vocal in his criticism of the city’s actions, describing them as cruel and illegal, especially during the winter months. The lawsuit underscores the disproportionate impact of these policies on disabled homeless individuals, highlighting the need for more inclusive and compassionate solutions to the homelessness crisis.
“Putting the lives of people with disabilities at risk in the dead of winter because they don’t have housing is cruel and illegal,” said Cornett. “Without adequate shelter space available, forcing a person in a wheelchair or someone with a chronic illness to pack and move their belongings daily is not just impossible, it’s inhumane. Grants Pass’s dangerous actions must be stopped.”
Broader Implications of the Case
This legal challenge in Grants Pass is set against the backdrop of a nationwide homelessness crisis, exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing. Recent data shows an 18% increase in homelessness last year, attributed to factors such as housing shortages, natural disasters, and increased migration. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how cities across the country address the complex issue of homelessness, particularly in relation to disabled individuals.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the city of Grants Pass finds itself once again at the forefront of the national debate on homelessness policies. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to balance public safety concerns with the rights and needs of homeless individuals. It serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in addressing homelessness and the importance of developing comprehensive and practical solutions at the local and state level.