Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass

A circuit court judge has barred the city of Grants Pass from enforcing two ordinances targeting unhoused people, reports Jeremiah Hayden in Street Roots.

The city became the focal point of policies addressing homelessness when the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Grants Pass could enforce criminalization ordinances despite not having enough shelter space to house everyone living on the street in the case of Grants Pass v. Johnson.

Now, an injunction issued by Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Sarah McGlaughlin requires the city to increase the capacity of its designated shelter or camping sites and provide accessibility at those sites.

According to Hayden, “Judge McGlaughlin ruled that with the exception of two parks — Riverside Park and Reinhardt Volunteer Park — the city cannot cite, arrest, detain, issue fines, or otherwise prosecute any person for camping on public property, nor can the city sweep residents from public spaces.” The ruling extends a temporary restraining order issued in February.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city, Hayden explains that Oregon law “still prohibits cities from penalizing homeless residents when the number of shelter beds are insufficient.” The 2021 Oregon law also calls on cities regulating homelessness to consider “the impact of the law on persons experiencing homelessness.”

The article details the positions of local lawmakers, some of whom want to take a more punitive approach.