As volunteers pull out of Mpls. hotel-turned-shelter, questions remain about what’s next for residents

People standing in the front of a building.
Desmond Carthron (center) speaks Tuesday, June 9, during a press conference at Sanctuary Hotel. Carthron has been living at the former Sheraton hotel for a week. "We need this," said Carthron, who returns to work Wednesday. "This is the last opportunity to get my foundation up under my feet."
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News

Activists who have been running a homeless shelter on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis are calling on government and nonprofit agencies for emergency support. The former Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel that was converted into a makeshift residence as fires and unrest following the killing of George Floyd forced many off the street.

At one point, the shelter housed more than 200 people, but it is not clear now what the long-term solution is for those individuals – or the hotel. Volunteers providing food and security for the shelter pulled out Wednesday night, explaining in a Facebook post that they could not sustain the effort.

For more on the situation, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Max Nesterak, a reporter for the Minnesota Reformer who has been following this story.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.