The Grants Pass City Council will hold a special workshop this evening to discuss next steps after the US Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of criminalizing the camping of homeless people in public spaces.
On June 28th, the nation's highest court reversed lower court rulings, finding that public camping restrictions issued by the City of Grants Pass do not constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."
The landmark case arose when several homeless people filed suit in federal court against Grants Pass in 2018, alleging the city's aggressive enforcement of its public camping and sleeping ordinances were intended to banish them from town.
Grants Pass officials said the Supreme Court ruling will help guide their next steps regarding unhoused members of the community. Tonight's workshop will focus on time, place and manner discussions aimed at dealing with homelessness in parks.
The public is invited to attend or view the workshop discussion, which begins at 6 in the City Council Chambers at Grants Pass City Hall, 101 NW A Street.
