St. Paul will begin closing homeless encampments on a rolling basis Aug. 5, starting at Pig’s Eye Park, while city, county and nonprofit teams work to connect residents with shelter, housing and other services.
City officials said an assessment found serious health and safety hazards at encampments, including fires, sexual assaults, thefts, two overdose-related deaths and risks created by propane tanks and open flames near tightly spaced tents.
The city and Ramsey County said outreach workers would be on site nearly every day before the first closure. A 10-person county team representing housing stability, financial assistance, social services and public health has also been assigned to the effort. Workers are helping people complete coordinated-entry applications, replace documents, arrange transportation and identify shelter or housing options…