Minneapolis program to house ex-gang members falls short Bureaucracy, lack of willing landlords cited. July 19, 2021 8:48pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Facilitators of a Minneapolis program that urges gang members to step away from the lifestyle in exchange for a stable roof over their head say the city is struggling to uphold its end of the bargain amid a lack of available affordable housing.
The Project LIFE initiative, short for Lifestyle in Transition for Empowerment, is handled out of the city s Office of Violence Prevention and has been credited with reducing gang activity in certain parts of Minneapolis. As the city aims to define what public safety is after the murder of George Floyd, advocates see a growing need for programs like this that prioritize supportive services, mental health and housing a major hurdle for people with criminal records.