Minneapolis's response to homelessness is cruel, unethical, and ineffective.
What is the system
We have piecemeal shelter system. The city claims there are resources that justify sweeping an encampment but we know these resources to be a mirage. There are not enough beds during normal days, and especially not during extreme whether. During the last winter, at least 2 unhoused people froze to death though we believe these numbers are an underestimate.
In addition to being unavailable, shelters routinely exclude people for a number of reasons. Families are frequently split up where a mother and toddler might be allowed but a teenager will have to go to a different shelter. People are not allowed to bring pets. Belongings are limited to what can fit in a locker or small storage box. Some shelters, such as salvation army shelters, are extremely abusive and hostile towards transgender, two-spirit, or members of the LGBTQ+ community. It's incredibly common to hear that shelter staff abuse or harass residents. Or that shelter staff did nothing to prevent or intervene in assaults between shelter residents.
All of these issues aside, it can be difficult to navigate the shelter system. Even if there are beds available, it is hard to know which one to call, which one might take after hours drops ins, how to get a ride to or from the shelter.
Encampments
This brings us to encampments and evictions of encampments. Encampments are ways that unhoused people gain some sense of safety and stability. There are legitimate issues for health and safety with encampments but sometimes, they are the safest or only option for unhoused people
The city responds to encampments by giving residents little to no notice when they decide to close a camp. Instead of working with residents to reduce safety or sanitation concerns, they send in cops, state troopers or public works to destroy belongings. This is a cruel and traumatic way to punish unhoused people for attempting to survive.
The city's response to encampments is characterized by:
- evictions of encampments
- ineffective services
- punitive housing requirements
Why doesn't it work
- people need housing that they want
- private units, sober or not sober
- people die waiting on housing lists
- section 8, county lists all take a long time
- people have to meet lots of conditions
- barriers to housing
- criminal records
- disabilities, mental health problems, trauma
- available housing is often further from education and job training access and other resources, as well as family and friends.
- Evictions destabilize people and
- Sweeping camps displaces people, does not help them get housed
- people often return to places that were previously swept, having no other options.
- Evictions cost money
- For the destruction of Near North camp alone, Minneapolis itself reported spending $265,000.
- Replacing supplies costs unhoused people and supporters like the Sanctuary Supply Depot hundreds of dollars per person per eviction.
