Urgent Call for Action: Safety Concerns at NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS / Hamline Station Apartments

There is often blood, urine, and human feces in the hallways. The residents need help, as well as the homeless individuals that take up shelter at the Hamlin / University Avenue Station PPL apartments.

Dear Project For Pride In Living 

1035 East Franklin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404

EIN: 23-7232208

I am writing to you on behalf of the residents of Hamline Station Apartments, particularly those who have been enduring distressing living conditions due to the presence of squatters and homeless individuals within our community. As the Executive Director of Life Changing Outreach Programs and Services, I am deeply concerned about the well-being and safety of our fellow citizens residing in the Section 42 Affordable Housing project at Hamline Station.

It has come to my attention through an anonymous letter from a group of elderly citizens, as well as firsthand accounts from residents, that the situation within our apartment complex has reached a critical point. Despite the picturesque description provided on the PPL website, the reality for many residents paints a starkly different picture.

Reports of squatters occupying stairwells and garage spaces, vandalizing property, and creating unsanitary conditions by urinating and defecating within the premises are alarming and unacceptable. Residents have shared harrowing experiences of feeling unsafe in their own homes, with entry doors being tampered with to prevent closure, further compromising security.

Attempts to address these concerns with PPL management have unfortunately been met with indifference, leaving residents feeling unheard and neglected. The escalation of these issues necessitates immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

In light of these urgent matters, I am formally requesting a public hearing and forum to be convened with key stakeholders, including executive decision-makers, management staff of Hamline Station Apartments, representatives from the St. Paul Police Department, the Mayor of the City of St. Paul, the Governor’s office, and the Ombudsman. This forum will provide an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns directly and collaboratively work towards viable solutions. It is my hope that these Solutions will also include resources for the homeless people who frequently take up space at the Hamlin Station Apartments, and other locations throughout the city. As homelessness seems to be the root of the problem.

Furthermore, I urge for the implementation of comprehensive security measures, including around-the-clock security guards and CCTV surveillance cameras and monitors, to effectively address and deter further instances of trespassing, vandalism, and harassment within our community.

It is imperative that immediate action is taken to rectify these pressing issues and restore a sense of safety and security for all residents of Hamline Station Apartments. I am committed to working alongside fellow residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to achieve tangible solutions and ensure that our voices are heard and our concerns addressed.

The senior citizens residing at Hamline Station Apartments are particularly vulnerable due to the ongoing issues with squatters who defecate and urinate in the hallways, basement, and parking garage. These conditions not only create unsanitary and hazardous environments but also contribute to a pervasive sense of insecurity among residents. Incidents resembling bloody crime scenes, potentially the result of violent acts, further exacerbate these fears, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and safety measures.

Additionally, the presence of homeless individuals, as well as those struggling with mental illness and addiction, underscores a broader issue of inadequate support and services within St. Paul and Minneapolis. The visible signs of poverty and neglect are increasingly intolerable for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities living in Project for Pride in Living residential areas and other impoverished neighborhoods. This situation calls for comprehensive solutions to address both the immediate safety concerns of residents and the systemic challenges faced by the underserved and disenfranchised populations. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt action in addressing these critical issues for your residents. 

Sincerely,

Christopher Seymore

Phone: 928-925-8591

Email: clseymoreis@gmail.com

Executive Director Community Advocacy &

Life Changing Outreach Programs and Services

This correspondence is all so been sent to: 

Project For Pride In Living 

1035 East Franklin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404

EIN: 23-7232208

shantel.washington@ppl-inc.org

clara.boyum@ppl-inc.org

Danielle.Gharineh@ppl-inc.org

abby.kamm@ppl-inc.org

Rick.Fuentes@ppl-inc.org

melanie.mills@ppl-inc.org

joe.ahrens@ppl-inc.org

Danielle.Gharineh@ppl-inc.org

ppl@ppl-inc.org

Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL) District: 65B

583 State Office Building *

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-9714

E-mail: rep.maria.isa.perez-vega@house.mn.gov

Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL) District: 65A

521 State Office Building *

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-5158

E-mail: rep.samakab.hussein@house.mn.gov

Office of Mayor Melvin Carter 

15 Kellogg Blvd. West | Saint Paul, MN 55102

Office of Governor Tim Walz

130 State Capitol

75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA)

Office of Ombudsman for Long-

Term Care

540 Cedar St, St. Paul, MN, 55155

mba.dhs@state.mn.us