Office of Homeless Services details outreach, interim housing steps as Old Tent City closure nears

The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) told the Public Health & Safety Committee it has housed 52 to 54 people linked to the Old Tent City encampment and described outreach and interim housing strategies as the camp closure approaches.

Director Calvin said OHS began coordinated outreach about seven to eight months ago, maintained a by-name list, and provided multiple check-ins at different times of day before posting closure notices. She said staff encouraged residents to stay on-site while services were provided and that “we have already housed 52 to 54 individuals,” adding that the number cited had shifted slightly during the meeting.

Calvin described a housing pathway that pairs targeted outreach with interim housing options intended to lead to permanent placements. She told members the program operates transitional “roadway” sites where newly housed people receive intensive case management, assistance obtaining vital records and other services. “We will provide interim housing options that lead to permanent housing solutions,” she said.

Council members pressed OHS on recidivism, the length of interim housing stays, and handling of RVs and pets. Calvin said her team has accommodated pets — “we've already moved 10 pets with the 52 to 54 individuals that's moved in” — and that outreach teams are on-site multiple times a day and conduct Thursday resource fairs with community partners.

Calvin reported a 12% recidivism rate from prior camp closures — meaning she said 12% of people returned to homelessness after placement — and said outreach continues for people who re-enter homelessness. On the length of transitional stays, Calvin said the program does not publicly set a fixed maximum stay because she said setting a firm term can create perverse incentives; however, she said several hotel-conversion and shared-housing strategies are being used to identify more permanent placements.

Committee members asked about the Hospitality Hub contract mentioned in earlier remarks; Calvin said the Hospitality Hub contract is an 18-month agreement and “I believe it's 2,400,000,” and that she would provide exact contract dates and renewal information after the meeting.

On RVs and vehicles, staff said they are collecting VIN numbers and assessing whether RVs can be driven out, whether they can be towed to partner KOA parks, or whether owners can be identified. Calvin said the city is coordinating across departments and with Police on those logistical issues and that some vehicles are not operable and in poor condition.

Several council members expressed concern about safety in encampments and asked for specifics about how OHS will prevent people from relocating to other areas without engaging with services. Calvin said OHS keeps a by-name list, conducts daily outreach, and coordinates with MNPD and Parks where needed.

The committee heard that the system is relying on a mix of approaches — shared housing, recovery housing, family reunification, nontraditional rapid-rehousing dollars proposed in the mayor’s budget, and existing Continuum of Care funds — and that available landlord partnerships provide potential housing units but that subsidies are the limiting factor.

Calvin said she would provide follow-up reports and contract details to committee members.

Notes: Some numeric statements in the meeting record were compressed or phrased inconsistently on the record (for example a line about “a total of a 20 that lit resided” is unclear in the transcript); where possible this article reports the clearer figures staff repeated (52–54 people housed).