Update:
To ensure that sanctuary communities can be safe and sustainable, Powderhorn East and West Camps are working to shrink and limit volunteer services.
From the beginning, Sanctuary Movement organizers knew that growth came with risks and challenges, but there were few other options available
Countless requests, demands, and pleas to the city, county, and state have not resulted in short- or long- term solutions to meet the needs of over 280 unsheltered residents in Powderhorn
What will this look like?
Organizers are working to prop up smaller sanctuary encampments in other parks around the Twin Cities and help transport willing sanctuary residents
Volunteers will continue to provide food, water, and other basic necessities during daytime hours, but the sanctuary will not have a volunteer presence 24/7
This will be a gradual change, but the transition has already begun
At this time, it is voluntary for sanctuary residents to move to other parks or encampments. It is likely that many people will remain in Powderhorn Park, but organizers hope that by providing more safe and dignified options, sanctuary residents will feel safer moving to another location.
Continue Advocating
Sanctuary organizers are advocating for medium-term solutions, such as having state or county emergency funding to pay existing agencies to support smaller encampments
Sanctuary organizers will need the cooperation of City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to ensure that bathrooms and running water are available at new sanctuary sites
It has been a month since unsheltered residents first set up in Powderhorn Park.
It has been two and a half months since unsheltered residents found sanctuary at the Sheraton Hotel. It has been 14 years since the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness was created in response to a homelessness crisis. Still, no clear plan or path forward to provide housing to unsheltered community members has been put into action by the government at any level.
We all deserve better. Unsheltered residents, volunteers, organizers, and sheltered residents deserve a fully-resourced response to this crisis. PPNA encourages you to raise your voice with your elected and appointed leaders at all levels. If you are unsure of who to contact or how to find contact info, reach out to Grace at grace@ppna.org
Feedback
Fill out this form to provide your feedback, whether it is a question, comment, suggestion, or concern. PPNA staff will summarize and respond when requested every week.
Join a PPNA listening session for the Powderhorn Sanctuary via zoom. Register here.
Action / July 13th, 2020
It has been over a month and the City of Minneapolis still hasn't provided a basic public health response to the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. Please join us in taking action to secure resources for hygiene, harm reduction, and health for those living in the Sanctuary. Read more and take action here.