Minneapolis and St. Paul were once two of my favorite cities, and they still hold a special place in my heart. However, during my last visit to the Twin Cities in 2023, I couldn’t help but notice a darker shift, especially while riding the Green Line train from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul. As a formerly homeless single parent who battled drug addiction for nearly two decades, I speak from a place of humility but also from stark reality. The people who were struggling on the train appeared, to my eyes and experience, to be addicted to fentanyl, and they weren’t afraid to show their usage. Witnessing displayed challenges in a space that should connect people was disheartening.
As I headed east through the several stops that dot the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus, I felt profound empathy for the students making that short journey with me on the light rail across the Mississippi River from the West Bank to the East Bank, holding their noses against the stench of drugs that has become too familiar. For someone like me, who has faced the harsh realities of homelessness, the experience was intense and overwhelming. I can only imagine what it must be like for a young person from a sheltered life in outstate Minnesota to suddenly be exposed to the raw, unfiltered realities of addiction and homelessness in an open-air environment. It’s a jarring contrast that underscores our communities’ urgent need for compassion and understanding.
I don’t want to criticize Minneapolis or St. Paul, as I know from firsthand experience that the services available to people experiencing homelessness are often more extensive than in many other cities I’ve visited. As a single homeless person, I encountered various resources and support systems that offered a glimmer of hope amid the struggles. I received help from Higher Ground, the Catholic Charities center that has buildings in both Minneapolis and St. Paul; the Salvation Army’s men’s shelter and Sharing And Caring Hands. I won’t forget Laurel at the Catholic Charities Opportunity Center in Minneapolis. Each of these organizations played a crucial role in my journey toward stability.
Putting Numbers to the Problem
After years of uncertainty, I became a social impact documentary filmmaker and a homeless activist who studies the behaviors of the unhoused and how cities can alleviate the problem. One of my initiatives is a global campaign inviting Minnesotans — including all University of Minnesota students, alumni and current faculty — to join me in mandating future politicians to prioritize homelessness as they do issues like the economy, abortion and immigration. My call to action is for you to participate in this campaign and advocate for candidates with homelessness on their agendas. Encouraging policymakers to take meaningful action is vital as we enter four years of a second Trump administration.
The recent 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) count revealed that 8,393 people were experiencing homelessness in Minnesota on a single night, a 6% increase from 2022. In Hennepin County alone, the PIT count found that 2,843 people were in shelters and transitional housing, while 469 were experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The state Continuums of Care initiative and local groups of homelessness service providers conduct the PIT count, and they gather vital data for planning effective strategies to address homelessness.
Although the 2023 Minnesota Homeless Study by Wilder Research reported a 7% decrease in overall homelessness since 2018, it also highlighted a troubling increase in older adults facing homelessness and noted that white people, men and those between 25 to 54 years old make up the majority of the homeless population.
A 2024 ruling in Grants Pass, Oregon, gives municipalities the authority to criminalize certain aspects of homelessness and underscores why this issue is even more critical in the current administration and future elections. We must ensure that candidates and lawmakers address these pressing matters and prioritize solutions that truly support those in need.
These statistics and developments serve as sobering reminders of the ongoing challenges in our community and the importance of continued support and intervention. My experiences in the Twin Cities have shaped me, reminding me of the power of compassion and the importance of supporting one another in our journeys. In moments like these — when wealth inequality is at an all-time high, when people are pressing politicians to lower taxes and the prices of everyday goods — it’s crucial to remember that everyone has struggles, and a little kindness can go a long way to bridge the gaps between us.
As we move forward, let’s not forget that even though the November elections have closed and a new party now runs the White House, the midterms of 2026 are just around the corner. I encourage all Minnesotans to carefully select candidates — Democrat or Republican — who prioritize homelessness. The resources are there, and in order to advocate for those in need, we must take action. Together, we can work toward a future where homelessness is not an accepted practice that we assume we never could experience but a priority in our conversations and policies.
My Global Mandate: A Scholarly Appeal
I am proud to share that my global campaign to prioritize homelessness has reached a scholarly level, featuring the campaign in Gale, a platform for peer-reviewed scholarly journals as well as research and learning resources for all. I strongly encourage students and faculty at the University of Minnesota — and the many colleges throughout the Twin Cities — to integrate this critical issue into your studies, research and discussions.
Understanding the realities of homelessness is vital for those directly impacted and essential for the rest of us as we build more inclusive and compassionate communities.
- Learn more about the Homeless Assistance Response Team in St. Paul.
- Learn more about the City Response to Homelessness in Minneapolis.
- Click here to learn who your state legislators are and how to contact them.
Then join me in the campaign to “Mandate Politicians to Prioritize Homelessness.” Let’s advocate for a community that cares for all its members, ensuring that the voices of those experiencing homelessness are heard and prioritized in our political discourse. Your participation can make a significant difference in shaping policies that lead to real change.