Benton County officials shed light on St. Cloud's homeless crisis as winter shelters close, pushing individuals into hidden encampments. What's the community's role in addressing this issue?
The St. Cloud area has an estimated 450 to 500 homeless people. That according to Benton County Commissioner Steve Heinen. Steve joined me on WJON along with Victoria Blonigen from Benton County Outreach and CentraCare Outreach Nurse Heather Post.
St. Paul has launched a new campaign to curb panhandling, but advising driver not give cash to those standing on street corners. Should St. Cloud look at this approach?
A rumor had been circulating in the community that St. Cloud State was readying unused dorms to house the homeless population. The rumor is not true according to St. Cloud State University President Dr. Robbyn Wacker.
The Lincoln Center is a homeless shelter on the southeast side of St. Cloud. They want to increase their overnight capacity limit. Tonight the Zoning Board of Appeals will hear a request from Homeless Helping Homeless which runs the Lincoln Center on Lincoln Avenue to amend a Conditional Use Permit.
Panhandlers are an issue that many cities the size of St. Cloud, and larger, have to deal with. The question that has nagged city leaders for years is, "what, if anything, can be done about it?".
You see it every day in St. Cloud, homeless panhandlers pushing shopping carts around town loaded with their belongings. What do they say if you ask where they got the cart?
Ever wondered how anybody can survive for more than a few minutes outside when it's double digits below outside? Ask any of St. Cloud's homeless and your heart will break.