Grand Forks City Council Approves 2026 Budget, Sets Conditions for Low-Barrier Shelter

The Grand Forks City Council approved the 2026 city budget with the stipulation that the city's low-barrier shelter, The Nest, will take steps to more efficiently move its residents through the system. The shelter, run by the Grand Forks Housing Authority, has been in operation since last October and has been the subject of controversy due to concerns about its impact on the local homeless population. Despite these concerns, the council ultimately decided to keep the shelter open and provided it with $130,000 in funding. However, the council did set conditions for the shelter, including capping the number of days an individual can stay there and requiring that residents are connected with a service provider within a certain amount of time.

Key Takeaways:

• The Grand Forks City Council approved the 2026 city budget, which includes funding for the city's low-barrier shelter, The Nest.
• The shelter will be required to cap the number of days an individual can stay there and to connect residents with a service provider within a certain amount of time.
• The council expressed concerns about the shelter's impact on the local homeless population, with some members suggesting that the shelter is contributing to an increase in homelessness.
• The shelter's director, Rebecca Osowski, urged residents to exercise their right to open carry, citing concerns about public safety.
• The council also discussed a number of other issues, including zoning amendments, parking requirements, and opioid litigation settlements.
• The city will pay $238,737 of the cost of a road construction project on DeMers Avenue, with the total cost of the project being nearly $2.4 million.
• The city also approved a number of zoning changes, including the replatting of several lots and the vacating of easements.

Statistics:

• The 2026 city budget includes an appropriation of $130,000 for the low-barrier shelter, The Nest.
• The shelter has 16 beds and is open 24/7.
• The shelter has been in operation since last October and has been the subject of controversy due to concerns about its impact on the local homeless population.
• The city council voted 6-1 to approve the budget, with Rebecca Osowski dissenting.
• The city will pay $238,737 of the cost of a road construction project on DeMers Avenue.

Sources:

• "City approves 2026 budget, sets conditions for low-barrier shelter." Grand Forks Herald. September 15, 2025.
• "Council votes to keep funding for shelter." Grand Forks Herald. September 15, 2025.
• "Shelter director urges residents to exercise right to open carry." Grand Forks Herald. September 15, 2025.
• "City to pay $238,737 for road construction project." Grand Forks Herald. September 15, 2025.
• "Council approves zoning changes, parking requirements." Grand Forks Herald. September 15, 2025.