Petition to Relocate the Proposed Homeless Shelter and Rehabilitation Center Near Riverside Elementary School

To the Grants Pass City Council & County Commissioners:

We, the undersigned concerned citizens, respectfully oppose the proposed location of a homeless shelter and rehabilitation center at 1798 SE N Street, which sits within 500 feet of Riverside Elementary School.

Our concerns center on the safety and well-being of children. Riverside Elementary operates an open campus, where young students move freely throughout the day. The surrounding neighborhood includes several apartment complexes housing many families with children who regularly play outdoors, ride bikes, and walk to and from school.

Placing a facility of this nature in such close proximity to a concentrated community of children raises understandable concerns for parents, guardians, and educators. While we fully support compassionate, effective services for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and recovery, this specific location is not appropriate due to its closeness to an elementary school and residential area filled with children.

We urge the City Council to reconsider the proposed location and explore alternative sites that better balance compassion with common-sense safety considerations. Our city can and should protect both its most vulnerable residents and the families who entrust us with creating a safe environment for their children.

We ask the County Commissioners not lease/sell their property to Pathways to Stability or any other grant applicant for the purpose of building a Homeless Shelter and Rehabilitation Center Near Riverside Elementary School.