River Falls Alliance for the Homeless warns of tighter emergency housing and possible winter camping

Dana Linscott, speaking for the River Falls Alliance for the Homeless, told the council on Sept. 23 that funding cuts have reduced food and housing supports and that emergency housing in the area was full this past summer. “This summer was really strange in that it was notable that the emergency housing in the area was all full,” Linscott said.

Linscott said the lack of seasonal capacity could lead to people attempting to camp outdoors during colder months and urged the council to anticipate the legal and operational issues that could arise when people shelter on public land. “There are places in town where camping is not legal according to the ordinance, but there's half a dozen or so places inside the city limits where it is,” Linscott said, and asked the council to consider how the police department and city staff will respond.

Linscott said she had attempted to discuss the matter with the police chief and his second in charge and asked council members to raise the issue if staff did not address it. “We're trying to avoid any problems that might happen because of that, and, I'm hoping that if the police chief isn't interested in doing that, one of you will be,” she said.

Council members did not take action during the public-comment period but staff and the mayor acknowledged the concern and indicated staff could work with law enforcement and community partners to provide information about legal constraints and response options ahead of winter.