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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A group of homeless people in Minneapolis are struggling to find options after being told they would be evicted from their camp.
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, 28 people woke up to 72-hour eviction notices from the Minneapolis Board of Parks and Recreation zipped to the fence around their tent camp in Minnehaha Park.
“It wasn’t a big surprise, it felt like it was going to happen after the holidays,” said Robert Thomas, who has been living at this camp since the summer.
Thomas says they are now finding space to store their belongings as backup if they are forced to move, but the plan is to protest peacefully and keep their tents up.
“Many of us intend to fight this. We’re not going to let go of this really easy, ”Thomas said. “We are just planning to stay here and prevent them from entering and taking our houses.”
(credit: CBS)
The MPRB argues that the winter elements are too dangerous to be outside and they want to place them in temporary shelters.
Your full statement:
“The MPRB has consistently recognized that parks do not provide a decent refuge. The MPRB has worked with state, county, city, and social service organizations to find safe and homeless shelter in park campgrounds before cold weather sets in. Winter has arrived in Minnesota and no fires or propane are allowed in Minneapolis parks. Camping in parks now is simply not humane or safe. Three people have already died in homeless camps in Minneapolis this year. All actions and efforts of the MPRB have been shared publicly and shared online at www.minneapolisparks.org/encampments ”.
Thomas argues that the eviction will put them on the streets again, which is much more dangerous.
“We are surviving very well here, these tents are the only thing that protects us from the elements. Without these camps, there will be more homeless people roaming the streets, ”said Thomas.
Another positive that Thomas says is happening in these camps is that they are providing a safe community where they share resources to survive.
“In fact, this has reduced crime for us. People who live here who don’t have a home or a way of life tend to steal things, they’ve had to steal anything or do something like that, “said Thomas.
Therese Linderholm lives nearby and walks the trails in Minnehaha Park.
“I feel like they’ve been relatively peaceful, they haven’t caused any harm to anyone in the neighborhood,” Linderholm said.
She believes the city needs more affordable housing to provide those who live here with a long-term solution.
“I don’t know if evicting the homeless camps helps with the homeless problem. I think right now we just have to find a home for them, ”Linderholm said.
The MPRB advisory listed five short-term shelter options, but some tent residents fear their safety due to the overcrowding that could occur in shelters during the pandemic.
