October 28, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting

The City of Saint Paul Public Safety Committee met on October 28, 2026, to hear presentations on housing responses to unsheltered homelessness. The Low Income Housing Institute described its tiny-home villages and supportive services, including units that cost about $5,000 in building materials each. For a Seattle village, private-sector contributors raised $2.88 million, while the city committed annual operating support. Saint Paul committee members asked for setup and operating-cost information; Chair Johnson’s office said it would follow up. The chair also said the city should review permitting practices and possible ordinance changes to support this model, and requested a separate follow-up on hygiene centers.

New Ulm’s city manager presented the privately financed Land Haven “barnuminium” development, enabled through a planned unit development in an industrial area. The city sold the land for $1 and provided $217,000 in public assistance, including 50% of special assessments totaling $115,000. Building permits had been issued for three residential units with an estimated building value of about $410,000 and four storage units valued at about $145,000; tax abatement and TIF remained available, but had not been requested. Avivo then described its low-barrier shelter model and supportive services, including a recently opened 48-unit site in St. Cloud. No procurement awards or votes were identified; the transcript ends during Avivo’s presentation.