‘Not a success’: $2.2M shelter investment helps just 7 people after St. Paul camp closure

St. Paul and Ramsey County put nearly $2.2 million toward expanding shelters before the Pig’s Eye Park clearing, and the mayor’s office said they could confirm 7 people who used those beds.

Last month, St. Paul gave Ramsey County $1,080,000 for more shelter beds. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has now learned the county invested another $1.1 million, and the mayor’s office confirmed the city knows of 7 people who used those beds.

A question from St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker to Assistant Mayor Cedrick Baker during a presentation Baker gave to City Council this week revealed the additional county funding.

Asked on Friday if she knew that there was an additional $1.1 million investment from the county on top of the city’s dollars, Noecker said, “No, and it’s really important to me to understand the full scope of what’s being invested here.”

Noecker previously...