City of Saint Paul Announces Service-Focused Coordinated Transition Plan for Encampments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2026

Matt Wagenius
612-500-8584
matt.wagenius@ci.stpaul.mn.us

The City of Saint Paul announced today that it will close encampments across the City as a response to growing concerns about the health, safety, and dignity of those staying at the sites.  

“Every person deserves dignity and a path to housing and support services. The conditions at these sites are not safe, healthy, or humane,” said Cedrick Baker, Assistant Mayor, People and Neighborhood Vitality, leader of the City of Saint Paul’s Unsheltered Response. “None of us would want our loved ones living in those conditions. This is a difficult decision, but leaving people in crisis without intervention is not compassion. We are choosing action that protects people experiencing homelessness and the broader community.”  

The first planned closure will occur at Pig's Eye Park on August 5th. Afterwards, additional encampments will close on a rolling basis.  

“I commend the thoughtfulness and compassion our team has brought to centering the human impact of closures since this internal task force launched at the beginning of the year,” said Mayor Kaohly Her. “No matter how we address this issue, which is one of the most significant challenges facing communities across our country, there will be disruption. My sincere intent is that the plan we are announcing today will minimize that impact while helping connect individuals to a safer, more stable life.”

Change in approach to public health

The City conducted a comprehensive assessment of encampment conditions and found significant public health and safety concerns requiring action. Reports documented serious incidents including fires, sexual assaults, thefts, two overdose-related deaths, and other emergencies that put occupants and surrounding communities at risk. In the best interest of safety and stability, the City made the decision to close the encampments.  

Closing encampments now, well before the onset of winter, will also help protect residents experiencing homelessness to connect with shelter, housing and supportive services before colder weather increases the risks of living outdoors.    

“Closing the encampments is the first step towards a stronger, healthier community. Supporting people experiencing homelessness requires a holistic, multifaceted approach that includes housing, health care, and other critical services. We are working with the state, county, and nonprofit partners to build long-term, regional solutions that help achieve lasting stability,” said Assistant Mayor Baker.

“Lasting change will come from all of us working together. It’s going to be hard work, and we invite any community partner and direct service providers who are willing to walk alongside us as we support the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable neighbors and community at large,” said Mayor Kaohly Her.  

Connecting individuals with services  

The City, County and community partners have intensified their coordination and response to better support residents transition to safer, more stable housing. The County has created multidisciplinary response teams to rapidly assess situations. They focus on identifying existing connections individuals may already have with County services and strengthen those relationships to create individualized pathways to shelter, housing alternatives, and long-term stability whenever possible.

Over the next four weeks, the City, County, and partners will continually inform those staying at the encampments of the upcoming closures and help them connect with available resources.  

The City and County will be on-site nearly every day from now until the closure helping individuals locate housing options, complete coordinated entry applications, replace key documents, offer transportation, amongst many other services. The City is also exploring options for how to expand capacity at local shelters.

For more information please, www.stpaul.gov/encampments.