St. Louis Drafted Plan to Disband Encampments
The city has proposed a risk-scoring system to prioritize and clear specific homeless encampments.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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St. Louis city officials have introduced a draft plan to disband six specific homeless encampments using a 100-point risk-scoring system. This framework prioritizes sites for clearing based on factors like safety hazards, service calls, and proximity to sensitive areas.
Why it matters
City leaders are implementing the strategy to address potential dangers identified at these locations. The plan mandates structured outreach to connect residents with services prior to any site closures.
The proposed policy requires 21 days of outreach before disbanding is approved, followed by a mandatory seven-day notice before a site is cleared. The presence of children at any encampment increases its risk score by 15 points.
The players
St. Louis
The city is the municipal government authority responsible for the management of homelessness programs and public safety policies.
The details
The city uses a 100-point scale to assess sites based on calls for service, complaints, size, and location relative to schools, parks, and daycares. Outreach teams are expected to assist residents with housing vouchers and family placement as part of the process.
Timeline
In 2024, resident Kevin began living at the 10th and Cass encampment.
In September 2026, the city relocated 168 residents from the Mark Twain Hotel.
In October 2026, the city allocated over $2 million for the Code Blue program.
During the winter of 2026-27, the city will finalize details of the encampment plan.
In 2027, the city expects to begin taking action on the encampment plan.
Legal Context
The city is formalizing its response to homeless encampments, building upon its existing operational framework established by the Code Blue winter weather response plan. This approach marks a shift toward a standardized, metrics-based policy for managing public space and resident safety.
Residents near the six identified encampments may see increased outreach efforts and eventual site closures as the city implements its new scoring system. The plan aims to balance municipal safety protocols with the delivery of housing and support services for those residing in the sites.
The takeaway
The city aims to utilize a data-driven approach to prioritize clearing sites deemed hazardous while simultaneously connecting displaced residents to housing resources. Residents can monitor future municipal updates as the city transitions from the planning phase to active site management in 2027.
What happens next
City officials are scheduled to spend the winter of 2026-27 finalizing the details of the encampment disbanding plan.
Further reading
For more information on city policies, visit the St. Louis Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.
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Should city authorities prioritize clearing homeless encampments over providing long-term housing solutions?
