Align Minneapolis Statement on the Treatment of Our Neighbors Living in Encampments

Background

Align Minneapolis is an interfaith coalition of 17 member congregations across the city of Minneapolis working to address homelessness together. Our vision is that everyone in Minneapolis has access to safe, decent, stable, and deeply affordable housing. Valuing the dignity and humanity of all people is the foundation of our work of engaging our congregations and communities. If our neighbors are living outside, not only are their basic human needs unmet, their dignity and humanity are diminished. We believe the dignity and humanity of city residents must not depend on where they live.

Encampments are congregate populations of our neighbors sleeping outside, often in tents or other temporary structures, sometimes in cars or RV’s. Encampments have been located on undeveloped lots, parking lots, land easements and medians, MetroTransit stations, and parks. Our neighbors who live in encampments either cannot find space in existing shelter facilities or prefer to live outside because in shelter they do not feel safe personally, are concerned about holding on to their possessions, experience a loss of autonomy and agency, lack privacy, or may not be able to reside with their partners, families, or pets.

While encampment communities represent a small portion of our neighbors experiencing homelessness, they are often the most visible. Known encampments exist across the city, lasting from weeks or months to multiple years. While we hope for a world where no one lives outdoors, we recognize some people will choose this option. Encampment residents often develop community with each other and connect with mutual aid networks. There are instances of service providers connecting more readily with encampment residents because they are in a consistent location. 

We acknowledge the presence of encampments can impact the surrounding neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods have expressed concerns about noise, trash, substance abuse and crime. Yet over the past few years, residents, neighborhood associations and businesses also have developed relationships with encampment residents and mutual aid networks have activated to support encampment resident needs. When an encampment is forcibly closed and people are evicted, new encampments form in other locations. Encampment evictions do not end homelessness or the existence of encampments.

Across our faith traditions we are summoned to seek justice. We are appalled by the treatment of our neighbors when encampments are forcibly closed by the City of Minneapolis, with involvement from the Minneapolis Police Department, Public Works, Regulatory Services, and the Minneapolis Park Board. Encampment closures often have been violent and inhumane and have taken place without notice to encampment residents or the public. The manner in which these closures have been carried out has traumatized residents of encampments, many of whom have a history of trauma. The unjust treatment of our neighbors living in encampments is a threat to justice for all who live, work, and conduct business in Minneapolis.

A call for change

The undignified and inhumane treatment of our neighbors living in encampments is not acceptable. Withholding of appropriate city services, lack of clarity and transparency around how decisions are made, and traumatic encampment closures result in unethical treatment of our unhoused neighbors. As people of conscience who recognize and value the humanity of all of our neighbors, we cannot allow the current status quo to continue. We expect the City of Minneapolis to be better than this.

We call on the Minneapolis City Council, as the policy-making body, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who holds executive power, to develop, adopt, and enact transparent policies and practices to uphold the dignity and humanity of our neighbors living in encampments. At a minimum, the City’s policies must address basic public health needs such as access to restrooms, hygiene, trash service and dignified storage of personal belongings. Elected and appointed leaders must also ensure encampment residents have access to healthcare, economic assistance, and the case management needed to guide these city residents to permanent housing. A clear rationale and process for encampment closures must be developed and communicated with encampment residents and the public. 

We further call on Minneapolis elected officials and staff to commit to ongoing partnerships with key stakeholders, including people with lived experience of homelessness, Hennepin County and other service providers. These partners can work together to create and build on long-term housing solutions to address homelessness at its root. Align Minneapolis remains committed to working toward the vision our faiths call forth of everyone having the safety and dignity of decent, stable housing. Until this vision is realized, we will respond to the basic needs of our neighbors who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessness while joining efforts to create long-term housing solutions. We call on public, private and faith communities to join us in this work.

This statement was affirmed and co-signed by Street Voices of Change on 5/19/2022