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What is the City's Response to Encampments?

The Coordinated Transition Plan for Homeless Encampments is a commitment to safety, stability, and dignity. Addressing unsheltered homelessness requires a coordinated approach that recognizes the complexity of homelessness, the needs of people experiencing homelessness, and the responsibility to maintain safe and accessible public spaces for everyone.

Every person’s circumstances are different. Some individuals may be ready to accept services immediately, while others may need continued engagement and support before they are ready to transition. The City’s approach is centered on meeting people where they are, building trust, removing barriers, and connecting individuals with available resources.

Guiding Principles

Safety

City departments conduct ongoing assessments of encampment conditions. Recent reports have found significant public health and safety concerns that include fires, sexual assaults, two overdose-related deaths, and other emergencies that put occupants and surrounding communities at risk. 

  • Reduce dangerous conditions that put people at risk
  • Connect individuals with safer alternatives and supportive services
  • Protect neighbors, businesses, public spaces, and first responders
  • Ensure transition activities are planned and conducted safely

Stability

Homelessness is complex and involves housing instability, behavioral health needs, medical needs, financial barriers, lack of documentation, and other challenges. Response requires individualized support and coordination across multiple systems. Transition outreach teams will be on-site nearly every day before, during, and after each closure.

  • Connect individuals with shelter, housing resources, treatment, and supportive services
  • Help individuals navigate barriers that prevent access to services
  • Coordinate with Ramsey County, service providers, and community partners
  • Support individuals before, during, and after transitions

Dignity

Transitioning from an encampment can be disruptive and difficult. Staff and partners are committed to approaching each interaction with empathy, patience, and understanding. The City’s responsibility is to balance compassion for individuals with the responsibility to protect public health and safety.

  • Engage individuals respectfully throughout the process
  • Provide clear information and opportunities to connect with services
  • Recognize individual needs, challenges, and readiness for change
  • Minimize unnecessary disruption while addressing unsafe conditions

Coordinated Transition Process

1

Planning and Coordination

Before any transition begins, the City works closely with Ramsey County, service providers, and community partners to prepare a coordinated response that supports both residents and surrounding neighborhoods. This planning includes identifying available shelter, housing, treatment, and supportive service resources; coordinating roles and responsibilities across City departments and partner agencies; establishing clear communication plans and operational procedures; and ensuring staff, equipment, and other resources are in place to carry out a safe, organized, and compassionate transition.

2

Outreach and Engagement

Before each transition, City and County outreach teams spend several weeks engaging directly with individuals staying at encampments to build trust, assess needs, and connect people with available resources. Outreach staff meet one-on-one with individuals to discuss their options, provide connections to shelter, housing, treatment, and supportive services, assist with coordinated entry and housing navigation, help replace identification and other documents needed to access services, and offer transportation assistance when available. Teams also identify individuals who may require additional support due to health, safety, or accessibility needs to help ensure every person has the opportunity to transition as safely and successfully as possible.

3

Coordinated Transition and Site Restoration

After the outreach period concludes, the City conducts a coordinated transition of the encampment with staff from multiple departments and partner agencies working together on site. Teams continue supporting individuals as they leave the encampment by connecting them with available services, shelter, housing, and other resources while addressing any immediate health or safety needs. Once the site has been vacated, City crews remove unsafe structures and hazardous materials, clean the area, and restore the public space so it can be safely used by the entire community.

4

Continued Support and Monitoring

Following each transition, the City and County continue working with individuals who have not yet been connected to the support they need while monitoring former encampment locations to maintain public health and safety. Outreach teams remain engaged to provide ongoing connections to housing, treatment, and supportive services, respond to emerging concerns, and address any new camping activity through continued outreach and appropriate response. City and County partners also review outcomes after each transition to identify lessons learned and strengthen future efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions