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.
Troubled north Minneapolis corner poses potential test of new public safety approach A rough stretch of the North Side may provide a telling first test of a new strategy that prioritizes mental health care and drug treatment. January 19, 2021 9:20pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Situated in the heart of north Minneapolis commercial district, the corner of W. Broadway and N. Lyndale Avenue is home to a grocery store, a Walgreens, and a gas station that locals have taken to calling the murder station.
The Winner Gas station very nearly lived up to its dark nickname again when a 19-year-old was shot there last month. He was one of at least 21 people to have been struck by gunfire around the intersection since last June.