As winter descends on St. Paul, the urgency of addressing homelessness has intensified, revealing an alarming increase in shelter demand amidst dwindling resources. Several non-profit organizations have reported operating beyond their capacities, with many families and individuals facing the grim prospect of having nowhere to turn as temperatures plummet.
Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul opened the Project Home Emergency Family Shelter in August, catering primarily to families in need. As of December 1, the Shelter Manager, Donna Franklin, highlighted a pressing challenge—the shelter has exceeded its capacity, currently reporting a waitlist of 45 families, which includes 55 adults and 96 children. Franklin expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Yeah, so it’s a long wait list,” underscoring the urgency of immediate solutions.
In conjunction with Project Home, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities has also reported a surge in demand for services. Despite having more than 100 overflow beds available, the mission reveals that approximately 20 men have been forced to sleep in the lobby in a bid to stay warm.
Laurie Pierce, the Interim Deputy Director of Housing Stability for Ramsey County, has recognized the imperative of expanding shelter resources. She indicated that the county aims to open all warming shelters by the end of the week, which would add approximately 160 additional beds to the system.
Despite the allocation of a .4 million state grant intended to support shelter initiatives, officials find themselves in a precarious position, as these funds must be stretched over two winter seasons. “That’s not unique to Ramsey County; it’s a challenge faced across the metropolitan area and beyond,” remarked Kari Collins, Deputy County Manager of the Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team. The necessity to extend limited resources has become a pressing issue. Collins elaborated, stating that existing funds are being scrutinized to meet heightened demand while ensuring continued support for various housing initiatives, including eviction prevention.
Pierce acknowledged the complex fiscal environment shaped by recent federal and state policy changes, noting the overarching struggle to adequately fund shelter services in light of increasing needs.
Amid these challenges, Franklin and her team at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul are advocating for community support to expand shelter capacity. “As soon as we get more operational dollars, we’ll expand. We’ll open up the second floor here,” she asserted, highlighting the pressing need for donor contributions.
In a bid to provide timely assistance, the Ramsey County Shelter Entry and Diversion (SHED) team is now available to offer information about warming spaces. Individuals in need of shelter can contact SHED at 651-266-1050 for guidance regarding available resources for men, women, youth, and families.
As the cold grips the region, the challenges surrounding homelessness in St. Paul become increasingly apparent, calling for urgent action and community support to safeguard the wellbeing of its most vulnerable populations.
