All populations
Coordinating access to housing stability resources
This project coordinates access to the full homeless response system. Its goal is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring.
Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry prioritized limited housing resources for the most vulnerable residents. It also lifted the burden of navigating the system off of people in crisis. People with highest needs in shelters and on the streets can now access streamlined housing assessment and referral.
But a barrier remains for other people. People at risk of homelessness and in precarious housing situations still must navigate complicated and disjointed emergency and housing resources. This project addresses this gap.
Contact: Sarah Hunt at sarah.hunt@hennepin.us
Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities (SPARC)
People of color are dramatically more likely than white people to experience homelessness in the United States. SPARC is a national movement, led by the Center of Social Innovation, that addresses racial disparities through action and research. Hennepin County has joined 6 other communities in an effort to begin a national conversation about racial equity in the homelessness sector.
Contact: David Hewitt at david.hewitt@hennepin.us.
Single adults
Built for Zero
This is a national effort led by the nonprofit Community Solutions. The goal is to end chronic homelessness in Hennepin County using incremental change and current resources.
Hennepin County has participated since June 2018. A small internal team creates and manages goals and projects.
Contact: Danielle Werder at danielle.werder@hennepin.us
Youth
Minor Connect
This program aims to create more effective services for homeless youth ages 15-17.
So far, the program has worked with over 60 youth. We work to reunify minors with their families. We also work to connect them to appropriate resources, shelter and housing.
Partners are the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Hennepin County, and local organizations serving youth experiencing homelessness.
Contact: Paul Minehart at paul.minehart@state.mn.us
Families
Family Shelter Diversion
This program gets families into stable housing without first having to use a shelter.
Since it started in July 2018, the program has diverted 46 families from shelters.
Catholic Charities runs the program, under a contract with the county. The county’s shelter team refers the families to the program.
Contact: Casey Schleisman at casey.schleisman@hennepin.us
Stable Homes, Stable Schools
This program will provide rental assistance to families.
Fifteen K-8 Minneapolis public schools serving high-need families will do most referrals. Rental assistance could help up to 320 families, including almost 650 students. Families will also receive housing readiness and ongoing support. Rental assistance could last up to three years and possibly longer.
Families will also receive services depending on funding.
Partners are the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools and Minneapolis Public Housing Authority.
Contact: Casey Schleisman at casey.schleisman@hennepin.us
Completed Planning and Initiatives
Ten-year plan to end homelessness (PDF)
Heading Home Hennepin annual update 2017 (PDF)
Stable Families Initiative outcomes report 2016 (PDF)
Adult Shelter Connect
This provides homeless single adults a single point of entry into shelter. This makes it simpler for homeless single adults to find shelter.
In 2016 five agencies providing emergency shelter for single adults streamlined the entry process. It uses information management, identification cards, bed reservations, and coordinated assignments.
Contact: Danielle Werder at danielle.werder@hennepin.us
Planning and initiatives documents
Shelter redesign plan (DOCX)
Rapid exit and shelter mobility 2011 (PDF)
Housing first program evaluation 2009 (PDF)
System response to end chronic homelessness summary report 2017 (DOC)