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The Minneapolis City Council voted 6-4 on Monday, September 8, to move forward with legal action against a property owner refusing to dismantle an encampment on East Lake Street, escalating a dispute centered on public health, homelessness, and accusations of political maneuvering.
The legal battle stems from a property at the corner of East Lake Street and 28th Avenue South,declared a public health nuisance by the city due to conditions within the encampment. As many as 45 individuals are reportedly residing at the site.
A Public Health Crisis or Political Theater?
City officials maintain the encampment poses notable health and safety risks. According to Minneapolis Health Commissioner Damon Chaplin, the “nuisance designation” is rooted in “an overwhelming amount of filth” – including drug paraphernalia, solid waste, a lack of sanitation, open fires, and hazardous debris – that is “harmful to the community.” The city also notes that approximately one-third of those frequenting the encampment during the day are not experiencing homelessness and do not sleep at the location.
The property owner, Hamoudi Sabri, faces roughly $15,000 in citations and fines. Though,Sabri vehemently opposes the city’s actions,characterizing the impending lawsuit as “political theater at the expense of real solutions.” He alleges Mayor Jacob Frey is using the situation to bolster his struggling mayoral campaign.
“This lawsuit is not about public health or safety – it is about Frey’s desperate attempt to stay in front of cameras,” Sabri stated. He further accused the mayor of a long-standing pattern of displacing individuals experiencing homelessness without providing adequate alternatives, calling it “brutality and re-traumatization again and again.”
A History of Conflict and a Strained Response
The conflict reached a critical point on August 26 when city crews were denied access to the property to begin cleanup efforts. Mayor Frey later convened a special City Council meeting to discuss potential litigation, initially scheduled for August 27 before being rescheduled to September 8. The council’s closed-door deliberations lasted approximately three hours before the public vote.
Sabri contends he offered shelter to individuals when existing facilities were at capacity, arguing the city should focus on expanding resources rather than penalizing private citizens. “If the Mayor or Council can look these people in the eye and offer them options, then do it. But you cannot, because there is nowhere,” he said. He suggested the city should “sue itself” before pursuing legal action against him.
Declining Homelessness Numbers Amid Ongoing Challenges
Despite the current impasse, city officials highlight a 33% decrease in homelessness countywide since 2020.The city’s homeless Response Team has consistently provided outreach and services at the encampment as its formation, offering shelter and support.
however,outreach efforts have met with limited success,with many individuals declining assistance. This has led to escalating concerns about the encampment’s impact on nearby residents, businesses, and a school preparing for the return of students.
Mayor Frey, in a statement following the council’s vote, emphasized the need for safe conditions. “True compassion means safe shelter, basic sanitation, and healthy living conditions – none of which are present at this encampment,” he said. “Today’s action gives us another tool to both address these unsafe conditions and safeguard nearby residents,students,and businesses.”
The timeline for filing the lawsuit remains unclear. Sabri has vowed to fight the legal challenge, asserting that “moral authority is on our side.” He expressed hope that the situation will galvanize Minneapolis residents to demand more effective leadership and a more humane approach to addressing homelessness.
