Morning Edition

Mutual aid group worries what comes after encampment closure

A man stands amid his belongings at a campsite
Marty unpacks his belongings at a new site in the Shepard encampment in St. Paul after the Fish Hatchery camp was cleared by the city on Wednesday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

More than 150 people living in St. Paul's largest homeless encampment had to find other places to sleep after city crews cleared out the tent encampment in Pig's Eye Park. Many of those who left received help from non-profit and mutual aid groups.

Among those groups was Rising Waters Mutual Aid. The group has been visiting the encampment for months, helping those living there. Rising Waters Mutual Aid co-founder Kat Hunter told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer that they were worried about what comes next after encampments are cleared out.

“I do not have any faith that there will be housing for everyone who needs it,“ Hunter said. “This is a long-term systemic problem that can not be solved with a single set of clearings. There is a reason this homelessness crisis exists.”

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.