Saint Paul City Council Votes 6-0 to Advance Coordinated Encampment Resolution Plan Resolution establishes 60-day services-first approach, temporary winter shelter, and pathway to permanent low-barrier shelter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

October 21, 2026 

Saint Paul City Council Votes 6-0 to Advance Coordinated Encampment Resolution Plan
Resolution establishes 60-day services-first approach, temporary winter shelter, and pathway to permanent low-barrier shelter

Saint Paul, MN- Saint Paul City Council today voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 26-1765 supporting a coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness that centers services before encampment closures. Sponsored by Council President Rebecca Noecker, and Councilmembers Anika Bowie, Molly Coleman, Cheniqua Johnson, Saura Jost, and HwaJeong Kim, the resolution establishes a three-part process to ensure a thoughtful approach to ushering our unhoused to safe and secure shelter and resources. 

Outlined in the three-part response includes: 

1. An intentional 60-day strategic investment period with a navigation tent onsite, daily, before any encampment closures. 
2. A temporary indoor low-barrier shelter which operates for six months during the winter. 
3. A permanent low-barrier shelter based on the indoor village model. 

City Council recognizes that success is also dependent on a strong partnership with Ramsey County, the state, and philanthropic partners with a commitment to doing all that we can to keep families, partners, and pets together.

Council President Nocker, Ward 2

“Homelessness is a crisis we cannot solve by moving our neighbors from one block to the next. We have a responsibility to do better, for people experiencing homelessness and for the communities impacted by this crisis. That means bringing services directly to people, creating safe, low-barrier shelter that keeps people connected to their loved ones and pets, and building toward lasting solutions. This resolution lays out a path forward that puts services before closures and calls on the City, Ramsey County, and our community partners to work together with urgency and accountability. No single action will solve homelessness, but we can make meaningful progress when we stop repeating approaches that fail and start investing in solutions that meet people’s needs with dignity and compassion.”

 Councilmember Saura Jost, Ward 3

 “Today’s resolution is only a beginning. We can achieve a Saint Paul without homelessness. We should always set our eyes to that horizon because this is a community that cares for each other. This is a community that understands that every life has value, everyone has something to contribute if they are given a chance.

I am grateful for the partners who have come to the table. Ramsey County, Community Volunteers, Faith Leaders, Service Providers of all sizes, our colleagues in the Mayor’s Administration. I am hopeful.”

Councilmember Molly Coleman, Ward 4

“There are no easy solutions to systemic challenges, but we are also not helpless in the face of those challenges. By passing this resolution today, our Council is making clear that our vision for Saint Paul is that every person is treated with dignity and respect; that the most vulnerable are cared for; that our policy and spending decisions are guided by research, data, and established best practices. The plan put forth in today's resolution shows that there is a path forward to do better by our unsheltered residents and city as a whole, and we look forward to continuing to work with the broad array of partners who will be needed to ensure that this path is successful.”  

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim, Ward 5

"Encampment evictions have failed all of us, whether you live in a house or in a tent. The previous encampment eviction cost our city $440,000 and just shifted people from one block to the next. What is clear is that Saint Paul needs a plan and I'm proud City Council is providing a blueprint for how we can move forward."

 Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson, Ward 7

“We cannot let the complexity of homelessness keep us from taking concrete steps to address it. This resolution represents a shared commitment across the Council, and turning that commitment into action will require the Mayor’s Office to work alongside us. To community partners who see promise in this plan: keep organizing, keep bringing forward solutions, and keep advocating to both the Council and the Mayor’s Office. Today’s vote sets a direction; our shared responsibility is to follow through.”

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ABOUT THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL: The Saint Paul City Council is the city’s legislative body, setting policy through ordinances and resolutions, adopting budgets, and providing direct constituent services across the city’s wards. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council.