Minneapolis mayor clears out homelessness encampments mentions Fentanyl addicts

lol please don't get your facts of talking points from @tinman, the man is clueless about actual homelessness. If you find yourself agreeing with tinman, take a moment and do the opposite.

Houston has one of the most successful homeless programs in the nation, we have reduced homelessness, how? because we have provided them housing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/headway/houston-homeless-people.html

 

Some of the shelters are worse than living on the streets from what I've been told and require you to jump through all sorts of hoops. Have an income? Great, fork it over... It's freezing cold and rain is coming any minute, but rules are the rules and you've got to clear out until evening... Couldn't make it back by curfew? Sucks to be you... Unable to attend church services? You're so outta here... Another resident assaulted you or stole your stuff? Tough beans.

It's all so heartbreaking. Yet some think it's funny ha-ha material. SMH.

 

I don’t frequently go to Uptown buy had Chinese New Year dinner at a restaurant there. I was shocked at the number of empty storefronts and several long time business there that have been Minneapolis institutions have closed.

I agree a vacancy tax is the bad way to go. For a property owner leaving your property empty while you still pay property taxes, and heat is already a drag on empty properties. I’ve been encouraging many to shop local but besides that the city needs to take steps to improve the environment. Yes, that does mean dealing with homelessness and rising crime in Minneapolis. Much of the business of places Like Uptown come from people in the suburbs and there is already a negative impression of Minneapolis by suburban and rural Minnesotans.

 

Taxes are a vacancy tax. If your property is empty you aren't making any money on it to cover expenses like taxes, mortgage and insurance.

Is there any evidence that a vacancy tax actually works to force building owners to improve their properties and/or lower rent?