safety
Homeless advocates raise alarm as St. Paul moves to close three largest encampments
By Viktorie Spurná at Sahan Journal
· July 16, 2026
· 8 min read
Advocates who work with St. Paul’s homeless residents are sounding the alarm over a plan by Mayor Kaoly Her to shut down the city’s three largest encampments beginning with the Pig’s Eye camp on Aug. 5.
City officials say overdose deaths, fires, reported sexual assaults, an increase in crime a...
Key takeaway This has been a gradual, coordinated effort leading up to the closure,” said Matt Wagenius, a spokesman for the mayor.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The plan to close St. Paul's three largest encampments has significant implications for the broader Twin Cities region, including Minneapolis . As neighboring cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul often share similar challenges and solutions when it comes to addressing homelessness. The approach taken by St. Paul's mayor and city officials will likely be watched closely by Minneapolis leaders, who may consider similar strategies to address their own homeless encampments. The controversy surrounding the closures also highlights the need for a coordinated regional response to homelessness, one that balances the need for safety and dignity with the need for adequate housing and support services. As the situation unfolds, Minneapolis residents and advocates will be looking to see how the closures affect the flow of people and resources across the river, and whether a more comprehensive regional approach to addressing homelessness emerges.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Advocates who work with St. Paul’s homeless residents are sounding the alarm over a plan by Mayor Kaoly Her to shut down the city’s three largest encampments beginning with the Pig’s Eye camp on Aug. 5.
City officials say overdose deaths, fires, reported sexual assaults, an increase in crime a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Viktorie Spurná at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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