GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A Josephine County judge has issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing the city of Grants Pass from enforcing its controversial homeless camping ordinance, which limits the locations where individuals can set up tents. The court ruling also halts the enforcement of fines associated with unauthorized camping.
The ordinance in question, which was set to take effect without court intervention, would confine homeless individuals to a designated camping site with space for only about 30 tents. The city’s plan to fine those camping outside of the designated area—set at $75 per violation—has been met with criticism from local advocacy groups. They argue that such a measure fails to address the underlying issues faced by the homeless population, especially as the city struggles with a growing crisis.
The temporary restraining order is the first legal development in a lawsuit filed last week by two advocacy organizations, Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Law Center, alongside five homeless individuals. The lawsuit, filed in Josephine County District Court, challenges the legality of the city’s current policies, which the plaintiffs contend are both harmful and discriminatory, particularly toward individuals with disabilities.
Tom Stenson, deputy legal director at Disability Rights Oregon, expressed concerns over the impact of the city’s policies, noting that homeless individuals, especially those with disabilities, would be forced to pack up their tents each morning by 7 a.m. The lawsuit highlights how this requirement exposes vulnerable individuals to the cold weather, making it even more difficult for them to survive.
“This emergency pause provides an opportunity for Grants Pass to redirect its policies in a more reasonable and constructive manner,” Stenson said. “Instead of threatening the lives of people with disabilities by prohibiting them from protecting themselves from the February cold, the city should find a way to address homelessness with more compassion and respect for human dignity.”
Grants Pass, like many cities across the United States, has struggled with an increasing number of homeless individuals. The city’s current ordinance, designed to manage public spaces and address safety concerns, has drawn attention for its strict enforcement and limited accommodations for those without stable housing.
The temporary restraining order gives the city time to reconsider its approach to homelessness. Advocates for the homeless hope this pause will lead to more effective, humane solutions to the ongoing crisis. The case will continue to unfold in the coming weeks as both sides prepare for further legal proceedings.
