Prohibit the use of hostile architecture in the state of Minnesota and reroute the funding to assist homelessness

 

The purpose of this bill is to show human dignity to everyone in Minnesota, not just those who can afford housing. This

bill is intended to maintain fairness and compassion in public spaces for everyone and to open the door to more humane,

structural fixes. By redirecting funds previously used for hostile architecture, it will instead be directed towards

programs that support people experiencing homelessness.

 

 

The city of Minneapolis has spent an estimated amount of $5.5-$7.5 million since 2020 for the removal and closing of

homeless encampments. The latest study, completed in 2023, found 10,522 Minnesotans were experiencing homelessness.

Hundreds of Minnesotans are unhoused, and instead of striving to alleviate this problem, money is constantly being spent

to put up gates, spikes, cement blocks, and more to push these individuals out of public spaces. Instead of this

imprudent spending of constantly putting up more gates, spikes, and benches, which do not address homelessness, it

should be directed to one of the underlying causes of homelessness, affordable housing.

 

 

1. Hostile architecture: Any specific designs, modifications, and/or features that are intentionally used to deter or

restrict certain behaviors, such as sleeping, sitting, resting, or seeking shelter, in public spaces. These

modifications or designs can consist of, but are not limited to:

-Concrete or metal spikes under bridges

-Spiked or divided benches with unconventional armrests in the middle

-Large cement blocks or barriers to prevent encampments

-Sprinkler systems are used to deter sleeping

-Slanted or sloped sitting areas

-Excessive clusters of poles in front of entrances or on sidewalks

2. Public spaces: Any area publicly owned, funded, maintained, and visited, which includes parks, sidewalks, public

transit stations, under bridges, government buildings, plazas, gazebos, and other community accessible spaces.

3. Funds: Any funds allocated by a county, city, or other local government for public infrastructure, maintenance, or

urban design.

4. Homelessness Assistance Programs: Services or initiatives, such as emergency shelter, rental assistance, domestic

abuse hotline, transitional housing, mental health, and job-training programs.

 

 

All future and current spending designated or saved for hostile architecture shall be redirected to homelessness

assistance programs to help address Minnesota's homelessness issue.

Some of the funding will be from the Minnesota Department of Transportation since this department has jurisdiction over

infrastructure under expressway overpasses, specifically under bridges. Funds saved from non-installation, removal, or

avoided maintenance of hostile architecture shall be placed into the dedicated Homelessness Assistance and Urban Dignity

Fund.

 

 

Local and regional government shall not purchase, install, or maintain any form of hostile architecture in public

spaces.

Already existing hostile architecture will be removed from public spaces within 15 months of this act's implementation.

Public agencies, contractors, or local governments found in violation of this act shall be subject to a $1,000 fine,

which will continue increasing upon multiple violations.

The city of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and other local governments will be enforcing this

act and removing existing hostile architecture.

 

 

There will be a 15-month leeway and ample time to remove hostile architecture from the state of Minnesota.