Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed an ordinance that would encourage large-scale homeless encampments throughout the city.
Frey cites issues like fires, trafficking, public health outbreaks and violent crime as being linked to homeless encampments and notes that when encampments grow, there is a greater risk for people living in them and the surrounding community.
“This year, we’ve seen a lot of progress—more people choosing shelter, more people moving into supportive housing, and fewer dangerous encampments forming,” said Frey. “But once shelter and services are offered at an encampment, they must be closed. This ordinance does the opposite – encouraging them to grow and people to live in unsafe conditions. Our focus has to stay on safety, dignity, and housing solutions that actually work.”…