Ramsey County plans more targeted winter response, moving away from ad-hoc warming spaces

Wilkins and county staff told the board they are rethinking the county's warming-space model before winter, aiming to encourage use of shelter capacity and to reserve warming or temporary spaces for populations not well served by existing beds.

"We actually want people to go get the shelter rather than this warming space model that really was stood up during COVID," Wilkins said, noting warming spaces carried risk and that the county wants to ensure people are connected to services. Staff said they are working with the new emergency-management director to set thresholds for invoking lobby/staging spaces and are coordinating with the sheriff and providers for rapid staffing.

Staff clarified that some warming-space investments were intended as temporary and were funded during the pandemic; the county will use partners where appropriate and seek to avoid overbuilding capacity the county may not need while maintaining safety for vulnerable people during extreme weather.

Board members raised using churches and other community spaces as potential partners; staff said they will explore options but cautioned about required staffing, security and transportation resources.