Minneapolis declares public health emergency as homelessness rises
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The Minneapolis City Council unanimously declared homelessness a "public health emergency" on Thursday, a somewhat toothless move that does little, if anything, to address the recent spike in the number of unsheltered residents.
The "declaration," signed by 13 council members, does not free up emergency funds nor offer immediate ways to deal with the city's homelessness crisis. Instead, it's intended to give council members a bit of leverage in their push to get Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey to delay the cleanup of a large encampment scheduled for next week.
“Be it Further Resolved that the Minneapolis City Council, by declaring unsheltered homelessness a public health emergency, is committed to exploring all policies, actions, partnerships, and investments to urgently and meaningfully address this emergency alongside the Mayor of Minneapolis, and City of Minneapolis workers and leaders,” the resolution reads.
The declaration comes on the heels of supporters of the encampment showing up at a public hearing on the city's budget to oppose the Dec. 14 clearing.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/minneapolis-declares-public-health-emergency-as-homelessness-rises/ar-AA1ldNC1
