Advocates Challenge Grants Pass Over “Unreasonable” Camping Bans
The small Oregon city that became the focal point of a major U.S. Supreme Court decision on homeless encampments is now facing a fresh legal challenge. Disability Rights Oregon has filed a lawsuit against Grants Pass, accusing the city of violating state law by enforcing camping restrictions that are not “objectively reasonable.”
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, comes months after the Supreme Court ruled that cities across the country could ban sleeping outdoors and fine people for doing so, even when shelter space is unavailable. That decision overturned a prior ruling that found such bans amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, homeless advocates say the legal fight is far from over.
“I don’t think that the bad decision from the Supreme Court is the end of homeless advocacy,” said Tom Stenson, deputy legal director for Disability Rights Oregon. “The problem isn’t going away. The need for housing is not going away.”
City Officials Tighten Restrictions Amid Growing Crisis
Grants Pass, a town of 40,000 in southern Oregon, has long struggled with homelessness. While officials have attempted to address the issue, their response has deeply divided residents.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, city leaders moved quickly to crack down on encampments. The City Council initially designated two areas where homeless individuals could legally stay. However, last week, the council shut down the larger of the two sites, which had housed roughly 120 tents. The remaining site was restricted to overnight use, requiring people to pack up their belongings by 7 a.m. and carry them throughout the day with no legal place to rest.
The lawsuit argues that these policies are designed to make life unbearable for homeless residents in the hope that they will leave town.
“It wants to make being homeless in Grants Pass so unpleasant that people go elsewhere,” the complaint states. “Despite the presence of numerous elderly, ill, and disabled people on site, the city increased its draconian restrictions in the dead of winter, leaving hundreds of people with no legal option for their continued survival.”
Homeless Residents with Disabilities Fight Back
The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of five homeless individuals with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs, canes, or struggle with chronic medical conditions.
One of the plaintiffs, Janine Harris, has lived in Grants Pass for more than two decades but became homeless four years ago. The 57-year-old, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and arthritis, was among those displaced when the larger encampment was shut down.
“A lot of us do not have any idea where to go,” Harris said. “I really am hurting, physically and mentally.”
She joined the lawsuit because she wants city officials to recognize the humanity of those experiencing homelessness.
“Just because we don’t live in a house doesn’t mean that we’re not [human],” she said.
Lawsuit Alleges Discrimination Against Disabled Homeless Residents
According to the lawsuit, Grants Pass’ policies violate an Oregon law requiring that camping restrictions be “objectively reasonable.” It also alleges that the city discriminates against people with disabilities by forcing them to frequently move themselves and their belongings, an unreasonable burden for individuals with mobility impairments or chronic illnesses.
“The City has discriminated against people with disabilities by imposing standards for participation in its camping program that require people to move themselves and their belongings frequently and for no good purpose,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit is seeking a court order to block Grants Pass from enforcing its current camping rules.
