Roseburg Developer to Build Grants Pass Homeless Village with $1.2 Million Grant
Grants Pass re-awarded a $1.2 million homelessness grant to Roseburg’s Elk Island Trading Group, which plans to build a container-home village for 150 people in Grants Pass by summer 2026. The project could help the city close unmanaged camps and meet shelter space requirements.
The Grants Pass City Council has re-awarded a $1.2 million homelessness grant to Elk Island Trading Group, a Roseburg-based developer planning to build a container-home village for 150 people by summer 2026.
The decision comes two weeks after the council revoked the grant from the original recipient, Pathways to Stability, which failed to secure county-owned land for its proposed shelter site.
On Monday, councilors voted 5–3 to give the funding to Elk Island, which operates three homeless camps in Roseburg. The group’s proposal includes constructing small homes from converted shipping containers and partnering with local nonprofits to provide services.
Councilor Rick Riker supported the decision, saying the community needs action and collaboration. “My biggest wish would be for all the organizations to get together and work together,” he said. “It would be a great healing process for the community as well.”
Not all council members agreed. Councilor Victoria Marshall opposed the award, expressing doubts that Elk Island could secure land for its project. “It’s the wrong thing to do. It’s the wrong thing for our community,” she said, citing potential issues with the proposed property.
Elk Island has identified a half-acre lot at 210 Redwood Highway in Grants Pass, owned by Bi-Mart, valued at over $280,000. The property is zoned commercial and sits next to the homeless services nonprofit MINT, which Elk Island plans to collaborate with. The developer must finalize a purchase agreement for the property within a week.
If the deal goes through, construction could begin soon, with the container-home village expected to open by June 1.
Grants Pass continues to face challenges addressing homelessness. The city has been sued twice over its handling of homeless encampments, with the most recent lawsuit dismissed in August after the city agreed to create low-barrier, ADA-compliant shelter space for at least 150 people. The new project could allow the city to close several unmanaged downtown camps currently in operation.
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