Title
Supporting a Coordinated Response to Unsheltered Homelessness.
Body
WHEREAS, unsheltered homelessness is the downstream impact of failed policies, and the City of Saint Paul seeks to provide a new path and more suitable resources for our residents; and
WHEREAS, people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are members of our community entitled to dignity, safety, and meaningful access to shelter, housing, and supportive services; and
WHEREAS, barriers to shelter may include identification requirements, accessibility needs, separation from partners or pets, restrictions on belongings, operating hours, and unmet health or behavioral health needs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Heading Home Ramsey, and community service providers have complementary roles in addressing homelessness, including outreach, shelter operations, housing navigation, land use, development, permitting, and funding; and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously authorized a $1.08 million transfer to Ramsey County to expand emergency shelter capacity ahead of the August 5, 2026 closure of the Pig’s Eye Park encampment; and
WHEREAS, this resolution sets out a three-part response to unsheltered homelessness: (1) an intentional 60-day strategic investment period with a navigation tent before any encampment closures; (2) a temporary indoor low-barrier shelter to operate for six months over this winter; and (3) a permanent low-barrier shelter based on the indoor village model; and
WHEREAS, trust is essential to service provision, and it can only be built through a consistent presence where people are living; and
WHEREAS, bringing a navigation tent with services to where people are living has been successfully used by other jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, large indoor spaces have been successfully used by other jurisdictions as temporary shelter and offer sleeping areas with privacy, restrooms, showers, storage and laundry, and access to services and transportation; and
WHEREAS, the ...
Click here for full text