Neighbors fight against proposed supportive housing facility near schools
- Residents in St. Paul, Minnesota are objecting to the proposed Aragon supportive housing facility.
- Concerns arise from previous issues at the nearby Kimball Court facility, which reported significant drug problems.
- A public hearing for the project's zoning approval is scheduled for December 4, creating a critical moment for community input.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, residents have started voicing their concerns against a proposed supportive housing facility named the Aragon, which is designed to provide affordable housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness or substance abuse issues. This pushback follows a history of issues at another nearby supportive housing facility, Kimball Court, which has become associated with open drug use and crime, prompting anxiety within the community. Residents like Ann and Thom O'Keefe have actively engaged with the city council, sharing their fears about the safety of local families and children attending nearby elementary schools. While some community members, including Father John Mitchell from St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church, support the project, emphasizing the need for affordable housing, others have signed petitions to halt its development, suspecting that it could create an unsafe environment for vulnerable populations. The city council is set to hold a public hearing on the project's re-zoning approval on December 4.