MINNEAPOLIS — A growing homeless encampment near the Little Earth housing project in Minneapolis has caused concern local health officials and from American Indian leaders.

According to a press release, the area around the tent camp where about 60 men, women and children live, is rife with hundreds of used needles, garbage and human waste. Despite the health risks, the campers said it’s better than the alternatives, which would be sleeping alone under bridges or spending nights in crowded shelters.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation owns the property on which the camp is set. The agency has twice ordered the campers to leave in the past month.

Minneapolis police don’t plan to remove people from the camp. A spokesman says they instead are focused on helping them with food, water and social services.