Inside the Oregon city at the center of the Supreme Court's homelessness case

The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, is now at the center of a key Supreme Court case that could determine how cities across the country approach the homelessness crisis. NBC News' Liz Kreutz has the story.
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#Oregon #Homelessness #SupremeCourt

[@nullnvoid7]

Here's a crazy thought, reduced the rent to where anyone with a full time minimum wage job can afford.

[@Sufferingsassafrass]

🎯

[@ludovician]

Not crazy, just silly

[@chriskelly6559]

Why that's just not capitalism, economically speaking.

[@dh5380]

The landlords are the same elite class as the supremes and cannot be fair to the poor people because they have never experienced a shortage of funds in their lifetimes

[@gotd4m]

​@FreedaPeeple-in2mn my mom raised a family of 4 and supported a methy dad on a retail job in the 90s. It was not easy then, sure. We were dirt poor. But it's just plain not possible now.

[@richardphillips8316]

Take care of people that crosses the border. But cannot take care of your own. Do you see something wrong with this picture. 🤔

[@notmyuseristolethis]

Cannot? Unwilling is the word you're looking for. And don't be dumb. The folks crossing the border ain't getting taken care of either. Everyone's suffering unless you have money.

[@OptionalZero]

This issue will ONLY INCREASE as we are priced out of our homes and intended to become a nation of renters with ever increasing rent. DO NOT be so sure it could never happen to you! Once you are in the hole it is near impossible to climb out as the rest of the world throws trash down on you for being there.

[@utah710]

Some people don’t want to be slaves

[@silentmajority8365]

Then why import millions to compete for jobs and houses In any case Society is for the lawful Streets and sidewalks must be free to travel

[@Applecider-Poetry]

@@silentmajority8365 maybe so maybe not

[@jdubb6960]

​@@silentmajority8365you won't stop us.

[@TheTrueOnyxRose]

@@silentmajority8365: Who makes the laws? The rich make the laws.

[@madbug1965]

Stop allowing REIT's from buying residential property. Go back to restricting them to only commercial real estate.

[@katem.8816]

What are REIT’S? I’m a homeowner but see there is a problem out there….

[@JacquelineLambert00]

It is NOT juST the Investors of Reits lol, it’s Investors ; I already have experienced being locked out so to speak of homes due to investors paying cash or with cash access.

[@katem.8816]

@@JacquelineLambert00 I’ve had two firms ask me if I want to sell my house and neither are familiar realtor agencies to me. They offered cash. One said they didn’t care we were living in house. Realtors hardly do that.

[@JacquelineLambert00]

@@katem.8816 I have also. They wish to buy the home for pennies on the dollar... and a whelping of your dignity... I've been there love ♥️

[@katem.8816]

@@JacquelineLambert00 we need a state law covering this problem. I read two years ago that investors bought scads of Atlanta’s homes. NYT.

[@INFJparadox]

I’m an SF native and moved to Portland three years ago. This is the result of gentrification and inability to afford astronomical rent. This started in mid-90s when the dot commies invaded and given free reign and major tax cuts. People that are homeless includes families and veterans, people with mental health and addiction. No one wants to be homeless. A lot of us are just one paycheck away

[@JoeBlow-yr3ts]

Yup and people still say SF is a progressive city. I have to correct them and say no it’s only progressive on some issues but otherwise it’s just full of a bunch of wealthy NIMBY’s and all it’s old culture is gone and replaced with techies. All the artist and musicians and everything that made SF unique and cool is gone and been replaced with tech bro or people who got pushed out and onto the streets. Look who Newsome constantly sides with, he blocked hearing for a single payer system in Ca, he sided with republicans to block a 2% tax on billionaires to go to help people get EV’s claiming it’s an Uber hand out (yea for the people who need to buy the EV’s to do Uber) after putting a deadline on new cars sold to all be EV, he blocked the ability of workers on strike to be able to collect unemployment (so progressive pro worker huh), and now this. When I went to Portland a few years ago I had a blast and it was awesome to see open air dance parties in the city centers at night during the pandemic so distancing was in play but then the following year there was more going on. Really reminded me of the SF when growing up when there were more free and fun events and a culture.

[@Jacious]

This is because of Martin v Boise.

[@INFJparadox]

@@JoeBlow-yr3ts omgosh that is exactly what I tell people! My city is gone and it’s heartbreaking. My entire family has moved to different states and we hung in there way too long. Really saddens me and makes you feel so powerless. People think Portland is worse, but really it’s because we need more resources. They are going to make public drug use illegal again with required mental health and addiction treatment. The homeless here do not panhandle but you will sometimes see people at freeway intersections. It’s really heartbreaking. The quality of life is definitely better here though and I love being in the middle of nature. And as you know, a lot bigger than SF! Thank you for your reply 😊

[@AmyEugene]

I'm from Grants Pass and I wish we got techie people. We get the retirees. It started in the 80s for Grants Pass, but it got worse in the 90s and then in the 2000s it became a real problem. Because they have no kids or grandkids in the area they vote down anything and everything that would raise property taxes, including libraries and schools. Combine that with the large number of Libertarians in the area and say goodbye to government services. They actually created their own experiment with defunding the police in the early 2010s, just to save money, and it was a disaster. A woman was murdered by her ex whom she had a restraining order against because the police response took over 45 minutes if I remember right. The city won't be able to do anything to address the homelessness crisis or any of its causes unless they get funding from outside the community. Voters don't care and that's why I moved to another city in Oregon that actually tries to fix its problems.

[@weirdshibainu]

@@AmyEugene Techies don't move to areas like Grants Pass....but if they did, what do you think would happen? Think real estate is expensive now? Rents and home values would double overnight. Think "techies" would support a library system? They mock anything not digital. Techies are just as selfish as any other population and want to pay as little in taxes as they can. Using the biggest, best funded city in the state ( and is a national laughing stock) Portland, good luck finding another city is Oregon that "actually tries to fix its problems."

[@Mr.Coffee20255]

Prayers for homeless people all over the 🌎

[@testing6753]

@@basketballman1854 how else people will virtue signal and blame everyone else?

[@deadcarz4926]

Where was your god?

[@Mr.Coffee20255]

@deadcarz4926 Which god are you referring too?

[@tvdinner325]

Why isn't your invisible friend helping them?

[@deadcarz4926]

@@Mr.Coffee20255 Whomever YOU are praying to. Which god? We'll wait.

[@lg-ii6pm]

You need to separate the issues of the severely mentally ill and substance abusing homeless and people living in poverty. Treatment for one population and transitional housing for others. And for goodness sakes yes the government should act to stop the flow of housing inventory into private equity and corporations because they are literally pushing people into homelessness.

[@c.eb.1216]

The tent cities started after the 2008 financial crisis and never stopped.

[@deanmartin2332]

I realize the homeless situation is complicated. But aren’t public spaces open to the public?

[@TruthFiction]

Have you every looked closely at the camps? Basics like sanitation and cleanliness apparently are too hard for them to bother with, so they throw their trash right outside their tents and leave it. Have you had to clean used needles out of a playground before letting your kids use it? Tell me how that is more important to society for homeless people to use parks as their private living space than children having the right to enjoy green spaces without risk of contracting hepatitis or walking in human waste.

[@TheTrueOnyxRose]

No. They belong to the government.

[@TheTrueOnyxRose]

@@TruthFiction: Not all homeless are addicts. Don’t scapegoat them all because of the few.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@TheTrueOnyxRoseMany not few.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@TheTrueOnyxRose Few? Majority of homeless drug addicted or mentally ill

[@HollyearrowBrewer]

10:55 "Our City deserves to have the ability to hold people accountable to bad behaviour" 1312 That very bad behaviour of being a victim of rent inflation. Got it. This isn't a problem you can simply sweep "away". There is no "away" to go to. Rent control and living wage is the medicine.

[@Sufferingsassafrass]

🎯

[@deadcarz4926]

These people DO NOT WORK! The will never work, they will never pay for any housing!

[@corradomarino2878]

Good job USA keep sending billions overseas and not worry about your own. Pathetic politicians

[@silentmajority8365]

Biden

[@Raknidm]

​@@silentmajority8365ALL politicians including Trump. I know your scared to be woke, but wake up.

[@kgb4187]

The money sent overseas is taken out of the defense budget, that's where you need to be focusing. Why is it so large?

[@silentmajority8365]

@@Raknidm Biden funded the current wars Being disgusted is not being scared Homeless belong in jail or asylums period You too

[@silentmajority8365]

@@kgb4187 America defending every country but this one is his point Guarding the Ukraine border while ignoring ours

[@SeaTurtle515]

I agree with a solution to get the homeless off of sidewalks and parks and other public properties, but then each city should also set aside a section of land for them to pitch their tents until more permanent solutions are adopted. And this problem is so complex, with very different reasons that people become homeless that there can’t be a one size fits all. The solutions need to be multi faceted and it will be very, very costly.

[@Jacious]

Ok, then where is my free land and free services?? No, I just get to pay for it all.

[@c.eb.1216]

Hoovervilles.

[@SeaTurtle515]

@@Jacious “To whom much has been given, much will be expected. “

[@teresamartinez9330]

Where are the homeless supposed to go? I understand both sides but it’s heartbreaking that we have so many homeless and no one deserves that . Homelessness can happen to almost anyone .

[@crewdawg16]

Anywhere but here

[@UTP_ENT]

Where do they go ? Go to work fool

[@chriskelly6559]

"They have to go somewhere"

[@silentmajority8365]

In the old days we had hobo camps along the rail system We enforced vagrancy laws

[@Jacious]

The problem is they like the drug camps and reject help every time it’s offered.

[@ISpitHotFiyaa]

There are homeless shelters. These people refuse to use them.

[@chriskelly6559]

Try it once yourself, you wouldn't go back.

[@anthonyg.4761]

Acres and acres miles of public land in which a controlled and policed encampment could be established with services. Many abandoned buildings which could be made habitable. Why does this have to be so complicated?

[@ISpitHotFiyaa]

Partly because those acres are way out in the sticks and you can't beg for money and steal things out in the sticks.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@ISpitHotFiyaa Exactly! I promise were I homeless that is where I would want to be not around these encampments.

[@ludovician]

Ever heard of something called liability

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@ludovician as pertains to what? Where people pitch a tent? Same applies anywhere.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@ludovician as pertains to what? Where people pitch a tent? Same applies anywhere.

[@objectivity2762]

Money For Ukraine, No Money For Housing ? Is this not strange folks?

[@kgb4187]

Ukraine comes out of the defense budget though

[@pbziegler]

“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges.” Anatole France

[@kingphilwill]

Those Blue cities sure love to keep their homeless, homeless..

[@forgottenman8629]

you're dead on correct, they 'revel' in their bums by ensuring they stay that way never giving them the hope they need to break away from it...

[@RickLancaster-w2x]

People Losing everything Thay have and now need to be held accountable for their behavior? This world has gone insane! I know Churches don't want them because they can't give them money. This is how Humans behave now it's sickening.

[@1965Grit]

Grants pass homeless problem is mainly drug and mental illness related, it's like a whole different world.

[@Jacious]

It same situation everywhere. The dirtbags who never wanted to work and burned all their bridges are the one in the drug camps. Every community in this country have assistance for those who want it. Those in the drug camps are just taking advantage of the situation.

[@Cmon-Man]

Exactly correct, I have family there and I’ve lived in Roseburg for years, it’s the same. So many beautiful parks, bike and walking paths that are compressed by drug addicts. It’s become horrible. They need to create specific areas and any camping outside that area is unlawful. The parks belong to the taxpayers. It got so bad I moved up to the Cascade Locks area a few years ago. It’s starting to show up here

[@anthonyg.4761]

The little darlings of Portland, Salem and a couple of other population centers did this to Oregon. As a child I came here often on vacation it like California was a paradise. Clean, no trash or litter. Oregonians were proud of their state. Not any more.

[@AmyEugene]

@@anthonyg.4761 I'm from Grants Pass and I know everyone there wants to blame the "big city" for all their problems, but the truth is that voters refuse to do anything that will raise their taxes. The area has been flooded by retirees that don't care about the community or its future, they've raised housing prices, but they've kept the property tax rate near the bottom of all Oregon counties. If they really wanted to improve the homeless crisis they could invest in drug treatment, mental health and low cost housing. I live in Eugene now and they have two areas that they've set aside as safe places for camping & RVs that are monitored around the clock. The homeless population here is huge, but doing the same thing would have more impact among a smaller population like GP. But it's not completely free for the city to maintain and they had to fight a lot of NIMBYs to establish the sites.

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@AmyEugene Sure, that is always the answer. You must be a true blue Oregonian. Let’s run up everybody else’s costs and lower their standard of living to pay for everyone else who in many cases made poor life choices or decisions.Always taxed, fee for everything, we are taxed to death. For the record the city has raised taxes many times in Grants Pass. It is the rural county folks who frequently vote down tax increases. Folks who do not have the benefits and services the city has. In Oregon we in rural areas have a lower minimum wage than say Portland and we pay a transit tax for Portland that we get no benefit from. As for addiction and mental health services both Medford and Grants Pass have well funded programs.

[@lovingmayberry307]

SHAME ON GRANTS PASS FOR FINING PPL WHO HAVE NOWHERE TO GO!!! 😠😠😠

[@johnd.5601]

They had no issues building out billionaires row in New York!

[@azureavocado5195]

Bailing out**

[@CS-qy4qy]

The government should create an "Instant Job Program" basically a job for anyone who wants one. You should be paid the same day as you do the work. If someone asks the government for money, then have a job lined up, to pick trash or plant trees, etc. Pay them minimum wage at the end of the day. Get rid of handouts.

[@forgottenman8629]

that's right, anyone who wants a government freebie will provided a broom, shovel, and garbage can to work for that freebie, at minimum wage. This is 'not' to be mean or demeaning in any way, but to build self-respect, humility, and self-esteem...

[@Applecider-Poetry]

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT

[@hansolo8225]

Don’t complain, you should just pay personally for their rights.

[@TruthFiction]

Sure, just not in public use land. It's that simple.

[@sonadorazul3074]

No

[@ISpitHotFiyaa]

It really isn't. You could say the right to build a home on land that you own is a human right - which would make blue states with their growth management laws some of the biggest violators of human rights in the history of civilization.

[@LexTheLionLocc]

This breaks my heart. Homeless people are still part of the community wether ya'll like it or not. You people with everything think ya'll so special and call yourselves christians alot of the time, believe you own your existence in this world and therefore can do what you want to the people who don't measure up to your status and standards. Ya'll would rather criminalize being alive while experiencing hardship forcing me to believe ya'll are no better than the criminals ushering people into the gas chamber. I believe ya'll would put us in the gas chamber followed by the oven. Homeless people are not the trash, ya'll are. We just bring you out of the dark with our existence when the chips are down.

[@hugoaguiar4400]

They need to stop using

[@deadcarz4926]

Exactly.

[@alexlwlondon]

Land use, density, and height restrictions are the cause of homelessness and housing crisis. Nothing else will fix it. We need to liberalize housing construction, even if the privileged home owning class is mostly against it.

[@royharper2003]

right, it has nothing to do with addiction and being unemployed and broke

[@deadname...]

The homeless should just go home. ~ Maxine Waters

[@nicoleholley7049]

Where?

[@silentmajority8365]

@@nicoleholley7049 They must have at least one friend or relative

[@daughterofthecreator2585]

​@@silentmajority8365no that isn't always the case

[@silentmajority8365]

​ @daughterofthecreator2585 I was in Law enforcement and know better than you drug addicts mentally ill and just lazy account for the majority of homeless Parents of the mentally ill keep their kids at home but when they pass the now adult child is loose in the streets Drug addicts alienate everybody in their life relatives get tired of posting bail then losing it because they never show up for court We have always had derelicts but they lived in camps away from everybody because we enforced trespassing and vagrancy laws We locked up the insane and arrested drug addicts I have seen 15 US Presidents which qualifies me to an opinion better than yours

[@silentmajority8365]

​ @daughterofthecreator2585 I was in Law enforcement and know better than you drug addicts mentally ill and just lazy account for the majority of homeless Parents of the mentally ill keep their kids at home but when they pass the now adult child is loose in the streets Drug addicts alienate everybody in their life relatives get tired of posting bail then losing it because they never show up for court We have always had derelicts but they lived in camps away from everybody because we enforced trespassing and vagrancy laws We locked up the insane and arrested drug addicts I have seen 15 US Presidents which qualifies me to an opinion better than yours

[@edwinrampage39]

Living here in Grants pass, it sucks taking my kids to the park, and they run up to me with a dirty needle in hand saying dad what's this? I'm not saying all homeless people do this, but it makes me not want to take the kids out anymore.

[@blakeaaron5698]

Local governments need to enact 'public living standards' so that communities of (unhoused) people living in tents, cars, etc have a code of conduct to guide them and be accountable to, but not be uprooted by. Everyone has a right to live peacefully, housed or not.

[@lih-fk8by]

I am all for getting homeless off the streets but then there needs to be affordable housing available

[@deadcarz4926]

What is stopping them moving to somewhere cheaper and getting jobs? Grants Pass is an expensive area. I cannot afford to live there.

[@lih-fk8by]

@deadcarz4926 I am not familiar with the area but I know what you mean. I do see alot of stories about homeless people complaining about not being able to afford housing in some of the most expensive zip codes and think well yeah most people with good paying jobs can't afford to stay there either, it's probably all the handouts that keep them in these areas

[@dh5380]

When the big one hits California, 40% + homelessness, that’s when our govt will act

[@danielyoung2219]

Zero mention of the trash and human feces left everywhere making the parks unsafe and unusable for families or the fact of the fights and they are setting each others tents on fire. Oh yea!, I live in Grants Pass and drive by this almost everyday.

[@TheRealDragonblood45]

Pretty much any land that isn't a park is owned by somebody else which is very unfortunate.

[@TruthFiction]

More than half the land in the continental is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. They could set up camps off grid there and not be forcing their failed life choices onto everyone else.

[@TruthFiction]

@ZionS23What failed life choices? I own my own home and financially retired at 45. Seems like I made some pretty amazing choices.

[@BankaiFever]

@@TruthFictionhow’d u do it ? Just interested. I’m 30

[@TruthFiction]

@@BankaiFeverI went to college and got a degree in chemical engineering. Totally useless, the month I graduated, Kodak and Xerox both let go of thousands of chemists. I got lots of interviews, but no jobs because, as one interviewer told me "6 months ago, I would have hired you on the spot, but today I have guys with doctorates and/or 20 years of experience applying for these entry level positions because they are desperate to take anything so they can pay their bills. So, I moved to CA and got a job with General Dynamics as a tradesman apprentice. Government work, lots of overtime opportunities because when you tell the government you will deliver their nice shiny ship to the navy on x date, they say "nice, because every day you are late costs you a million dollars in fines." So, yeah, worked 50 to 60 hours a week, every week because when they literally giving you $50 an hour to work Sunday, it's hard to say "you know, I really don't need $400 for one days work that bad." Worked there about 10 years. My wife used to go look at new houses. I didn't bother because they started at 1 million dollars. We were never going to be able to afford that, so we each took on under the table work in data entry where they offered us something like 12k to convert 15 years of paper forms to a computer. That was nice because we could work when we wanted, as long or as little as we wanted, just so long as it was done by the deadline. We took 2 of those tasks on. So, eventually I was laid off along with most of the other people at GD because the army was tied up in wars in deserts and the navy just wasn't pulling their weight, so they had their funds cut and given to the army. Anyhow, that was the opportunity we needed for my wife to decide we should leave CA and move somewhere not so expensive to live. So, we moved, found a house we liked for 75k, could easily afford it, bought it, she got a job she liked instead of one she had to work and she said I had done enough to secure our future by that point and that I could stay home, work on the house and make sure my son didn't fail school because she was making more than enough for us to live the way we wanted.

[@BBYNANNA]

Here's a bright idea stop raising the cost of everything, and maybe there wouldn't be so many people living on streets. Maybe build low income apartment blocks instead of punishing people that already lost basically everything.

[@RickLancaster-w2x]

Remember these are Millionaires and Billionaires making the new law's .

[@anthonyg.4761]

No! Oregon legalized pot and pretty much any other drug. That is what happened in GP.

[@karenhatchel3530]

When faced with negative energy, channel your inner strength and replace it with positive energy. Let positivity be your shield against negativity

[@Mya_Sarah_Bellum]

16 million homes currently sit vacant across the country.🤔

[@deadcarz4926]

Cite your source, Vlad. We'll wait.

[@Mya_Sarah_Bellum]

@@deadcarz4926 Your wait is over. United Way, National Associates of REALTORS, Today's Homeowner, Forbes, etc.

[@Mya_Sarah_Bellum]

@@deadcarz4926 United Way, National Association of Realtors, Today's Homeowner, Forbes, NYT....the list goes on and on. I'll wait for your apology.

[@Mya_Sarah_Bellum]

@@deadcarz4926 United Way

[@Mya_Sarah_Bellum]

@@deadcarz4926 National Association of Realtors

[@robertlaflam4030]

Merica at it's finest

[@silentmajority8365]

They are free to leave Millions risk their life to come here and find jobs

[@kingduckford]

@@silentmajority8365No, they come here to live off the system. And the dying American system needs more useless eaters to keep itself propped up than actual workers.

[@TheLeh1964]

The most important GOV issue is #Ukraine, we all know it.

[@davidturner3014]

The Laws have been on the books for years. If one cannot provide for their daily needs for food and shelter... That could result in death or bodily injury. A clear and present danger to others... Or self... That is grounds for "Involuntary Commitment" to the Mental Hospital. A Treatment Team. MD, Psychiatrist, Social Worker, Registered Dietitian, Eye Exams, Dental Exams, Nurses, etc.. Primo number one reason... "Substances"! Chronic substance abuse (Driving under the influence?) is absolutely grounds for commitment, involuntarily. WAKE UP! Write your Congressman!

[@ericb9931]

Just remember kids, importing more people to house won't lower the cost of housing

[@CB-ke7eq]

The larger cities could each turn a few empty office buildings into free emergency housing, while allowing those same buildings to undergo permanent remodeling into low-cost housing for these people.

[@forgottenman8629]

that does not 'solve' anything, but will go a long way in promoting the bum lifestyle. Perhaps like so many, you do not quite understand the bum's reasoning and motivation to go down this road, it was 'not' by circumstances but by 'choice'...

[@mertmolina8312]

Grant Pass could zone for overnight camping :)

[@ShlisaShell]

You should see the cell phone towers in that city. All cell phone towers are fake pines. Big money there. Tough place for family members with drug addiction.

[@deadcarz4926]

The they should move somewhere cheaper and get a job!

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

There are so many layers to the problem of homelessness but I think it starts by separating them into three groups. those with addiction/mental problems, those who want help, and those who just want handouts. All three need to be handled differently

[@inwalters]

I see. They want to make it illegal to be poor. Instead how about a law requiring every business in the city to offer at least one job that pays enough so people can afford rent.

[@daCubanaqt]

Maybe Oregon should stop making it easy for homeless people to live on the streets. Cities in Oregon give out tents and make homeless people comfortable instead of trying to provide affordable housing. It’s complacency instead of compassion. After COVID, homelessness blew out of control. You didn’t hear much about homelessness before then. I haven’t heard anything about how to house these people. Multnomah County now taxes its residents and people who work in the county for supportive housing. Where is the tax money going? Homelessness is not getting better.

[@mikeneidlinger8857]

It's called "Getting Tented" when you use Tranq in your tent. We need more homeless people.

[@jenbloom6848]

Portland, a shitshow, is about to enact it’s own sidewalk law.

[@forgottenman8629]

yeah, and will be thrown out by bums free legal assistance...

[@Andrew-wz5xo]

Grants pass is a Republican run city

[@RickChristmanHomelessonthestre]

Im looking for a place

[@miken7629]

Homeless have to move every week or they will get false impression they live there. Once they decide they live at a location they become territorial which leads to conflict, accumulate stuff and become hoarders, leave trash around, they think that is their home like old fashion homesteaders, city is doing the correct thing to make them move every week.

[@lianegiago5443]

I don’t think it’s conservative to let people utilize the services they pay for through taxes.

[@DeadChief-rj1sj]

Hummmmmm Pass legislation for people to live in state or national forest. After that passes, make it illegal to camp in cities. But you can't just discard a human being. Pass a state right to live act. Give them certain areas to live and enforce it.

[@matthewwilson8315]

I lived in Grants Pass in> I have family there Love the place. I would still live there if I could afford a home and could work. It's a multi layer problem high cost of living. high relative unemployment. liberal policies that until recently allowed open drug use. When faced with having to pay for a 500,000 dollar home on a $10 an hour job. moving back to Georgia was my only option. I go back to visit, was there a couple months back. and the level of rot was pervasive and noticeable. I watched the city workers from my hotel room clean up an abandoned camp 30 feet from my balcony. I would watch the folk across the river going through the stages of intoxication living in an encampment at the local park. its was soul sucking to watch.

[@alphashewolf7946]

Poverty and low wages are considered the number one cause of homelessness in the United States. As wages have not kept up with the decrease in affordable housing, people face high housing prices, low pay, and reduced public assistance. Other factors that contribute to homelessness include: Domestic violence People may flee their homes without a plan to escape domestic violence, and end up living in cars, shelters, or on the street. Mental illness Mental illness is the third largest cause of homelessness for single adults. People with mental illness who become homeless often lack proper medications and suffer from extreme psychological problems. Unemployment It can be difficult to keep a house in the US without a steady salary to pay bills and mortgage. Addiction Substance abuse is a prevalent issue among homeless populations, and the challenges faced by these individuals often create a vicious cycle from which it is difficult to escape. Discrimination Individuals and families may be denied access to housing, homelessness services, and/or employment, which can put people from diverse backgrounds at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness

[@JackcSmith-bk8kf]

As a sanctuary state it's illegal to be a homeless united states citizens who paid taxes. But allows 181,000 illegals free housing as Oregon is ranked 18th in the country. So it's SAFE to say Oregon could house the homeless us citizens.

[@Notawesomeatall7]

I really really feel for the people working and homeless or the mentally ill who cannot get help. But this is more about drunks and junkies using and not wanting to get sober. Ive literally seen it with my siblings and school mates.

[@sueprator9314]

How we got here is a huge topic. In fairness to the LARGER COMMUNITY(any City) is that it has become A HEALTH ISSUE. And there is an arrogance of the homeless people who have been living on the street for awhile that the rules are different for them.

[@jacoh11]

Fining people who can’t afford housing just forces them out of housing even longer.

[@deadcarz4926]

If they worked, they could rent a place. If I slept in a park, and decided NOT to work, I'd be broke too. Is that YOUR problem?

[@leedsalex]

@@deadcarz4926 Your talking rubbish, plenty of homeless in the US have jobs and are STILL homeless, the prices of housing has become unaffordable

[@deadcarz4926]

@@leedsalex "Plenty"? Interesting data-based argument. Move somewhere cheaper! Tah! Dah!

[@leedsalex]

@@deadcarz4926 here is some data for you www.usich.gov/guidance-reports-data/data-trends#:~:text=As%20many%20as%2040%25%2D,to%20afford%20a%20one%2Dbedroom. The reason people have to move From cheaper areas in the first place is due to these areas no longer having jobs.

[@HIAHomelessInAmerica]

🙏🙏🙏

[@gwendolynlee4090]

That's nasty

[@BobbyJames-fv9tn]

I'm sorry I thought we lived in the United States of America where we all had freedoms to go wherever we want if she's been homeless in grants pass for 4 years leave grants pass Medford is only 30 mi away

[@michaelanthony5509]

Interesting which states and cities have these problems

[@RobertAdairWorkshop]

All states and cities have this problem.

[@jacobadams4915]

No where to go…how about the employment office?

[@a_9408]

Most job interviews want you to have a car, bank account, and good hygiene for a “consideration” of getting a job. It’s isn’t that easy as you’re trying to put it as.

[@JohnDavid-u8b]

The bad behavior is city leadership. With growing homelessness in the area, adequate shelter must be constructed. Homeless individuals have been doing what the city should be doing. Find available space and build a camp. If the parks are unusable, because they are in use, then they are not unusable. Cities across America are going to have to recreate their zoning ideas, so as to include "ultra-low" income camping zones.

[@kgb4187]

You want to use a park filled with human feces and used needles?

[@tylerfreed9094]

Grants pass sucks. Let the homeless have it

[@jerrycrone3813]

Public property just clean up after yourself my taxes takes care of the parks and recreation areas

[@aanmomentofmusic8367]

channel military budget to rehabilitation, build affordable house, and god sake human need religion even its fake, it just give people hope, wake up america

[@shaecloud4403]

The Hobo Code of Ethics A true hobo has some very specific ethical guidelines to live by - these have been vetted and sourced from a decades long gathering of hoboes in Britt, Iowa. Follow these simple rules and the other junglers won't steal your shoes in the night. ​ Decide your own life; don’t let another person run or rule you. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times. Don’t take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals’ treatment of other hobos. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as badly, if not worse than you. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard. Do not allow other hobos to molest children; expose all molesters to authorities…they are the worst garbage to infest any society. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday. Sourced from www.openculture.com/2016/11/the-hobo-ethical-code-of-1889.html See Also: brittiowa.com/events-attractions/hobo-days/ ​

[@Mr_Game_And_Walk]

"11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." (Isaiah 13: 11-12). The average person will be valued as fine gold soon. That is my hope. Many of these homeless people have drug addictions, were abused as children, or were otherwise hurt in a severe way into their adulthood. They need basic accommodation, housing prices need to come down, etc.

[@preshisify1]

April 22nd, 2024 scotus 😷☕🇺🇲

[@DianaViramontes-d5z]

Mon

[@davidturner3014]

Other logical remedy... Ronald Reagan said once way back when, "Homeless" people are most often "Homeless" because they want to be. My opinion is to save money for there "Substance" abuse issues. Another logical solution: Real Estate can be owned in Pennsylvania for very often $30,000.00, and even less. (Check out the Real Estate Companies online. Slide all over PA...) Hint: "Repository List". Any County in PA. (Remember, The President of the United States hails from Pennsylvania.) $3,000.00 and even less. Honest. Check it out online. Property Brother? Flipper? "Land Man"... No-brainer! More millionaires were made in Real Estate than any other way. The American Dream.

[@turbotransporter]

Work camps… no work no eats

[@deadcarz4926]

The military is always hiring.

[@hotsauce8671]

I like the fact that it's not a big apartment complex and they like living on one acre of land 😉

[@PerryViolin]

Free the homeless! ❤️🙏

[@forgottenman8629]

yeah, make em go to work...

[@Mr.Coffee20255]

Now if billions can be sent out of this county for God knows what for, then surely acres of land can be bought and structured to house the homeless. This will be 24hr monitored,strick rules , no smoking 🚭 nothing not even off property. You either go cold turkey or get to steppin. No alcohol, no sodas, and no candy, you must help with land chores, and help grow food. If your teachable, 🏫 you must attend an educational program. Just to name a few.

[@Amber-l7z]

No candy? Hershey bars calm my nerves...

[@anonymousmc7727]

I’ll pass on grants pass 😂

[@veramae4098]

Half the homeless are there because of doctor and hospital bills. Half.

[@deadcarz4926]

BS. Cite your source! Does that prevent them from working?

[@katynadal6646]

Ok if it's illegal than make a homeless shelter and make a spot for homeless people to live because unless they can a job and a new place to live they need somewhere to go to be safe from the law. Because it's not they're fault they're homeless I mean you don't know someone story.

[@morganplisken7271]

Don’t worry the Ukraine has had their homeless issue solved by getting our American government to solve their problem using US taxpayer funds. Let’s get the taxpayers of another country to solve our homeless problem with their tax dollars. It’s a win win.

[@grandmaLilith]

What is the whole story of these individuals? Why do they think everyone is so brain dead that they just listen to the news

[@rosariocataldo7957]

The american dream

[@anthonyg.4761]

Another 300 million sent to Ukraine. Direct your complaints appropriately.

[@deadcarz4926]

We haven't sent any money in months!

[@anthonyg.4761]

@@deadcarz4926 They just approved 300 million yesterday.

[@rsalins45]

Land of the free home of the oppressed.

[@imageislandmarine4988]

More to the story, what about the effects of the legalization of marijuana, people forgot to pay their bills and quit going to work. Because smoking weed every night was more important.

[@kushking949]

and you think drinking is okay? what a joke you are.

[@moorefacts6605]

MJ smokers do not have the problems of alcoholics. I have never met a homeless person who blamed MJ.

[@OptionalZero]

That's a is a dump, childish, vast over simplification of a far more complex problem. Homeless is not solely derived from "drug addiction". I encourage you to go out and actually talk to people. You'll find people just like yourself trapped in a bad place. Comments like yours are how people over simplify things to make themselves feel superior in a desperate effort to convince oneself that such things would never happen to them.

[@deanmartin2332]

Is that what happened to you? 😂

[@yalltripping]

They want to be homeless

[@andrescazares1862]

Trump 2024

[@moorefacts6605]

For Dog Catcher.

[@mikeriley3938]

For toilet cleaner

[@turbotransporter]

They’re gonna love him in prison

[@moorefacts6605]

@@USMC0311-jz5gy Bone Spur comment.

[@TruthFiction]

@@turbotransporterYou're going to love him in office because you think Biden can win when he can't even speak without being stoned.

[@hollyjames1581]

Showing just 1% of the homeless population fails to capture the reality of those who engage in a lawless, drug-infested lifestyle by ignoring alternative choices. While acknowledging the high cost of housing and housing shortages, the complete narrative remains untold by your reporter.

[@frankculaga5169]

How many times do I have to tell those knuckleheads in power. Make Mistress Harley pay the homeless!! She owes it and everyone knows it.

[@deadcarz4926]

Why do they never ask them WHY they cannot get a job, and stay in a real campground?

[@jacoh11]

Urban areas that have jobs aren’t in the same place as campgrounds. Do you take half a second to think of things before you make half baked asinine comments?

[@deadcarz4926]

@@jacoh11 Why don't they move to a less expensive area AND GET A JOB? I cannot afford to live there!

[@nhansen197]

What homeless people are doing is squatting on public and private land. The humane and correct thing to do is provide housing, but what are people to do if property rights don't count anymore?

[@deadcarz4926]

Why don't they get a job?

[@nhansen197]

@@deadcarz4926 You might be surprised to learn that many of these people have jobs.

[@deadcarz4926]

@@nhansen197 Well, go and rent a trailer and live in it in a trailer park. Grants Pass is too rich for my blood. Move where there's safe spaces.

[@superzenkie]

It's a greedy wealthy problem not a homeless problem. Greedy wealthy are who made these people homeless by raising the prices of rent are to blame They're basically sacrificing these people like throwing them in a volcano to enrich they're families Sacrifice two families with high priced real-estate to enrich one family Again this is disturbing to no end that the wealthy are doing this to the working class and disabled and the underpaid people They inflate everything and the majority of Americans are not wealthy there are 130 million people barely able to pay rent and who work full time This is sick and I'm super super super in disagreement with the way the wealthy are indenial sitting in theyre safe towers and fancy houses they got by under paying labor and leveraging the working class I could go on and on about how many disturbing things these selfish greedy wealthy people are .

[@royharper2003]

homeless don't help landflords get rich because they have no money.

[@B86432]

They must love being homeless

[@Kwago1]

Now you get to go to jail for not defunding cops. Good luck.

[@MoHi-cx8py]

Menawhile the u.s funds wars

[@Applecider-Poetry]

IF YOU ARE GOING TO FORBID CAMPING YOU NEED TO PROVIDE OTHER HOUSING. TRY EMPTY CHURCHES FOR DAY CENTERS OR EVEN OVERNIGHTS. PROVIDE BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS. PROVIDE SMALL HOUSE DEVELOPMENTS.

[@kgb4187]

The church does have a shelter but it has a long list of rules and requirements.

[@ISpitHotFiyaa]

@@kgb4187 That's really the main issue. These people are not in a good situation but they also refuse to make any changes to their lives to get out of that situation. There are programs to provide them with shelter and help with their health issues but in order to use that they have to comply with the rules of those programs and stop being lazy drug addicts. Hopefully the court gives the states a little more authority to force compliance on these people because this situation has gotten pretty absurd (at least here in the west).

[@rachellandry3116]

Christ is watching.