Minneapolis landlord opens homeless camps on his parking lots in defiance of city

Landlord Hamoudi Sabri opened a private homeless encampment in Minneapolis, inviting about 20 individuals to reside on his E. Lake Street property. Frustrated by city policies that displace homeless individuals, Sabri plans to establish a second site in the North Loop, where a previous encampment faced closure due to safety issues. During a police attempt to clear the site, Sabri intervened, successfully allowing residents to stay. Minneapolis officials emphasized that using tents as dwellings is prohibited, complicating Sabri's initiative.

Local residents expressed concern about potential disturbances linked to the encampment. Sabri, however, argues that offering a controlled environment with portable toilets and garbage pickup is a more humane solution. This comes amid ongoing challenges for the city's homeless population, many of whom face mental health and addiction struggles. Dani Labatte, a resident of the encampment, questioned why property owners cannot use their spaces as they see fit.