Third hotel dedicated to isolation spaces for people experiencing homelessness

This week, Hennepin County stood up a third hotel to provide alternate accommodations for people experiencing homelessness or living in congregate settings in response to the continued spread of COVID-19. 

This new site is dedicated specifically to isolation spaces for people who are unable to self-isolate and are awaiting test results or have tested positive for COVID-19 to discourage spread of the virus. Since Wednesday, April 1, five residents have been moved from other shelter settings into isolation spaces at this new hotel. As of Friday morning, none have tested positive for COVID-19 and two are currently awaiting test results. 

At one of the two existing hotel sites, 37 people have been in isolation with flu-like symptoms with zero positive COVID-19 tests. Nineteen have recovered and 18 will remain until they are asymptomatic.

Hennepin County continues to work with shelter and health professionals to identify healthy but especially high-risk people experiencing homelessness. So far, 233 high-risk residents have been moved from congregate shelter settings into hotel sites, including 153 seniors and 80 other high-risk residents.

New Healthcare for the Homeless hotline

A new hotline phone number has been created to streamline response and enhance service through Healthcare for the Homeless. 

Call 612-348-5553 to:

• Access isolation spaces for residents sick with COVID-19 symptoms
• Get guidance from a nurse
• Speak with a social worker
• Discuss mental health needs with a professional
• Get information about health insurance and benefits
• Learn more about Healthcare for the Homeless

Emergency state funding now available for shelter and service providers

Shelter and service providers can now apply for Emergency Services Program Funds secured through the state's emergency funding package signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on March 28. 

Learn more and apply now

Providers applying for these funds must target persons experiencing homelessness, but do not need to be current grantees of the Emergency Services Program (ESP), Department of Human Services, or the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). If your request is approved, funds will be disbursed within two to three weeks.

Housing support rate increase

Minnesota’s recently passed COVID-19 response bill included a provision to increase most Housing Support rates by 15% for the months of March, April, and May 2020. If you receive Housing Support funding through Hennepin County, this additional funding will be passed on to you as part of your existing Housing Support Agreement with Hennepin County. There is no need to apply, but some requirements and guidelines do need to be followed. 

Learn more from the Department of Human Services

Personal Protective Equipment

Due to the current shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), agencies and providers are having to make hard decisions in prioritizing distribution of existing limited supplies. Given the expected surge in residents diagnosed with COVID-19, PPE is currently being prioritized for frontline healthcare workers dealing directly with sick patients. 

If your facility is in the city of Minneapolis, submit requests for supplies using this online form.

Wide scale efforts are underway on multiple fronts, including in the public and private sectors, to increase the supply of PPE for other frontline essential workers, including shelter and provider staff. 

Information for people facing housing instability

The current public health crisis has exacerbated longstanding needs around affordable housing and housing instability in our communities. Moments of crisis like we face today can have the most severe impacts on people already facing vulnerabilities and challenges. 

Find resources and information for people facing housing instability during the spread COVID-19 on our website.

DHS launches COVID-19 web page for housing providers 

DHS has added a web page for our housing partners and providers with news about the pandemic response from the Housing and Support Services Division. The web page has information on the recently passed increased funding for Housing Support room and board and supplemental service expenses. 

How to access emergency shelter

Single adults

Make shelter reservations by phone at 612-248-2350. The Adult Shelter Connect office at St. Olaf (215 – 8th Street South, Minneapolis) is closed to walk-ins.

Families

Monday – Friday until 11 p.m.: call 612-348-9410

Holidays, weekends and evenings until 11 p.m.: call 2-1-1 (mobile: 651-291-0211) and ask for the after-hours shelter team.

Youth

Visit YSNMN.org

Healthcare for the Homeless

Call 612-348-5553 to:

• Access isolation and quarantine spaces if you are sick
• Speak with a nurse
• Get guidance for medical professionals and shelter providers
• Speak with a social worker
• Discuss mental health needs with a professional
• Get information about health insurance and benefits
• Learn more about Healthcare for the Homeless

Landlord-tenant mediation

Contact the Conflict Resolution Center

Unemployment insurance

• If your work hours have been reduced or eliminated, apply for unemployment insurance from the State of Minnesota. The usual waiting period has been waived.
• If you are sick, quarantined, or home because of an outbreak at your work, you qualify for unemployment.
• If you stay home due to lack of child care, you may qualify for unemployment.

To apply:

• For English, Spanish, Somali, or Hmong at apply online.
• If you don’t speak English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong or don’t have internet access, call 651-296-3644 and press 1 to request an interpreter

Apply for help with rent, food, or childcare

Online

Apply for cash assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child care or emergency assistance at ApplyMN.

By phone

Apply by phone or get an application mailed to you by calling 612-596-1300.

Other ways to submit documents

Fax 612-288-2981 or for child care assistance documents fax 612-288-2982. In many cases, paperwork can wait until after the crisis.

Some sites have drop boxes for urgent use:

• Health Services Building, 525 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis
• Northwest Family Service Center, 7051 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center
• Wells Fargo Building, 1011 – 1st Street South, Hopkins

If you already receive cash, SNAP or health care you can keep getting benefits with no additional paperwork

Find current service information provided by Hennepin County, visit hennepin.us/covid-19.

Food

• If you need immediate help with food, help applying for food benefits (SNAP) and free meals near you, visit hungersolutions.org.

• If you don’t have internet access, call 1-888-711-1151.

• Food during school closures:
  Minneapolis Public Schools: cws.mpls.k12.mn.us/COVID19

• Download “Free Meals for Kids” mobile app:
  The Free Meals for Kids mobile app will help families and kids in need to find and access free food at sites across Minnesota. The app is powered by GPS and shows locations of sites that are providing food with days and hours of distribution. It also shows the distance and directions to the nearest site.

House of Charity

• 510 – 8th Street South, Minneapolis
• Monday – Friday:
  Breakfast: 8:30 – 9 a.m., for women and children only
  Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m., open to all
• Weekends:
  Brunch: Noon to 1 p.m., open to all

Dignity Center

• 425 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
  To-go breakfast: 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Rent and emergency financial assistance for Hennepin County residents

• Single adults:
  Catholic Charities Opportunity Center: 612-204-8273

• Families:
  St. Stephen's Human Services: 612-870-2298

• Youth (under 24) and young families:
  YMCA Youth Intervention Services: 763-493-3052

• American Indian families:
  Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center: 612-728-2026
  
  
• North Minneapolis residents:
  Northpoint Health and Wellness: 612-767-9500
  1256 Penn Ave., N. Suite 5300, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Domestic Abuse Service Center

• Advocacy, orders for protection and safety planning services can be accessed by calling 612-348-5073.
• We discourage anyone from coming to the domestic abuse service center at the Government Center. But if someone finds themselves there, a conference room has been set up on the same level equipped with phones to call the services number 612-348-5073. The room is A0710.

Day One Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Crisis Line

• Call 1-866-223-1111
• Text 612-399-9995
• Chat online: dayoneservices.org

Utilities and internet

• Xcel Energy will indefinitely suspend service disconnections and waive late fees when associated with COVID-19 challenges. Call 1-800-895-4999.
• CenterPoint Energy is doing the same for gas. Call 1-800-245-2377.
• For information about low and no-cost internet, visit The National Digital Inclusion Alliance digitalinclusion.org/free-low-cost-internet-plans/ or National locator tool for low-cost internet service offers: everyoneon.org/find-offs.

Legal help

If you need legal assistance with housing, finance, work, benefits, or another matter:

• Apply for free legal help at lawhelpmn.org
• If you don’t have internet access, call the intake line for your area: Hennepin County or Anoka County 612-334-5970

Public restrooms

House of Charity

510 – 8th Street South, Minneapolis
Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bathroom, hand-washing, shower

Catholic Charities Adult Opportunity Center

740 – 17th Street East, Minneapolis
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bathroom, hand-washing, shower

Dignity Center

425 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Bathroom, hand-washing

Hennepin County Government Center

300 – 6th Street South, Minneapolis
Monday – Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bathroom, hand-washing

Target Field Station – Metro Transit

335 – 5th Street North, Minneapolis
Portable bathroom

Breakthrough Ministries

1000 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis
Portable bathroom and hand-washing stations

MPLS DID and Salvation Army

1000 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis
Portable bathrooms and hand-washing stations

The Commons Park – Minneapolis Park Board

425 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis
Portable bathroom

Handwashing stations

MPLS DID map sites: mplsdid.com/news_article/show/1098002

Sign up for update Health information for shelter providers.

Health information for shelter providers

Shelter staff with symptoms now eligible for COVID-19 testing through Hennepin Healthcare

• Hennepin Healthcare has expanded eligible groups who qualify for COVID-19 testing to include staff with respiratory symptoms who work at homeless shelters or homeless drop-in centers.
• People experiencing homelessness living in congregate settings were previously identified as a priority population for testing.
• Learn more about Hennepin Healthcare's priority population for testing (PDF)

If a resident has symptoms of COVID-19

• If a resident seeking shelter has flu-like symptoms, including a fever or cough, call Health Care for the Homeless at 612-348-5553. A nurse will help determine next steps.
• Move them to a separate space within the facility to safely isolate them from other residents and wait while alternative accommodations are arranged.

How high-risk people living in congregate shelter settings are being protected

• The most important step Hennepin County's shelter response team has taken so far to protect our shelter populations is relocating 231 people identified as high-risk out of our congregate shelter settings into separate accommodations.
• Staff are working with Healthcare for the Homeless on an ongoing basis to identify especially vulnerable residents, including seniors and people with underlying health conditions, and move them to separate accommodations when possible.

What Minnesota's 'stay-at-home' order means for shelter providers

• Shelter providers and other staff supporting homelessness programs are considered essential workers under Governor Tim Walz's executive order asking Minnesotan's to stay home unless absolutely necessary. At this time, Hennepin County understands that essential staff whose jobs require them to leave their home are not required to carry a letter or any other type of documentation.
• County staff will continue to monitor this question and update this list with further or different guidance as it comes.

What Governor Walz's executive order to stay at home mean for people experiencing homelessness

• People without a home are exempt from the restrictions in Executive Order 20-20, and they may move between emergency shelters, drop-in centers, and encampments. Read the full executive order (PDF).

How to get additional supplies for your facility such as masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes or thermometers

• If your facility is in the city of Minneapolis, submit requests for supplies using this online form.

How to prevent the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 in the homeless community

The Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health offer posters and fact sheets you can post and distribute to keep residents informed.

• CDC print resource
• MDH materials and resources

Public health tips for shelter providers

Download these shelter tips from Health Care for the Homeless (PDF)

Statewide coordination of COVID-19 response for people experiencing homelessness

• Providers of services, assistance, and housing for people experiencing homelessness in our community are invited to participate in statewide coordinating webinars on COVID-19 and homelessness.
• Join staff from counties, tribal nations, continuums of care for the homeless, and other community providers in Minnesota to hear regular updates on the state and local response to COVID-19.
• Webinars will take place each Wednesday, from 1-2 p.m., beginning Wednesday, March 25. Only one person per agency or program should participate in the webinar. 
• Join the webinar (you need a computer to access the webinar)

Continuity of operations planning

• Partners and providers are encouraged to review or develop Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) to ensure that services to residents continue if the availability of provider staff is limited by the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
• For more resources on developing a COOP, visit hennepin.us/hhspartners.

Guidance for in-person service delivery

• The State of Minnesota sets requirements regarding in-person visits for most services.
• Providers should watch for communications from the State of Minnesota. Hennepin County is working closely with the State of Minnesota and will share updates as further guidance becomes available. Visit hennepin.us/hhspartners for updates and resources for remote service delivery.

Waivers under peacetime emergency authority, Executive Order 20-12

• Under the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-12, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has temporary authority to waive or modify requirements so that the agency and its partners can continue to provide essential programs and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A list of all waivers and modifications currently in effect is posted at the DHS website. It will be updated as necessary. We encourage you to monitor the DHS website and DHS bulletins.

Child care for homelessness support staff

• As part of the response to the spread of COVID-19, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has directed schools to provide free child care for emergency workers, including key staff from homelessness programs and emergency shelters. View the full list of qualifying emergency workers (PDF)
• The Minnesota Department of Education is providing direction to school districts on this process. To arrange free childcare, emergency workers should contact their school district directly. Additional up-to-date information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education's webpage.

For school and child care questions 

• COVID-19.Questions.MDE@state.mn.us
• 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
• Additionally, YMCA branches have turned their facilities into daycare centers for essential staff.

Questions and updates

Please check this page, as well as hennepin.us/hhspartners for updates and send questions to endhomelessness@hennepin.us.

Additional guidance for housing and service providers

• Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters, CDC
• Preventing and Managing Spread of Disease within Shelters, HUD Toolkit
• Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Diseases within Encampments, HUD Toolkit
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations, from CDC
• Coronavirus Disease: What Supportive Housing Providers Need to Know, from CSH
• COVID-19: Client Screening and Work Flow Examples, HUD Exchange

All populations

Coordinating access to homeless prevention resources

Transparent, easy access to prevention resources are critical to helping people avoid eviction or homelessness.

Community agencies in Hennepin County intend to lift the burden of navigating the system off of people in crisis. People with highest needs will be able to access the most appropriate resources for their housing stability.

Using a multi-pronged, diversion-focused approach (PDF) that provides virtual and physical (community-based) tenant resources, we intend to coordinate community-based prevention resources. In addition workforce and county-administered prevention programs will be a critical part of the system.

Contact: Heidi Boyd at heidi.boyd@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

Chronic Index

The 'Chronic Index' is a by-name list of people who are experiencing chronic homelessness in Hennepin County (HC) based on Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and provider data. The chronic index is utilized in the Coordinated Entry System (CES) as the primary method of prioritization. The list is maintained Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness. To learn more, click here: Chronic Index

Contact: Mark Legler at mark.legler@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)

Current data and trends

Weekly shelter

• Shelter report for March 24, 2020 (XLSX)

Monthly chronic homelessness

• Progress to zero dashboard
• Inflow and outflow
• Detailed breakdown (engines)

Quarterly family shelter

• 2019 Hennepin County Family Shelter Utilization – Quarter 4 (PDF)

Semi-annual unsheltered point in time

• Hennepin CoC 2019 Point in Time (PIT) Count (PDF)

Annual point in time

• July 2019 unsheltered report (PDF)

Detailed evictions overview

Find data on where, when and how evictions happen in the county. See this detailed overview, known as the evictions dashboard.

The eviction flow illustration (PDF) explores all 4,755 eviction filings in 2018 and documents outcomes at each step of the eviction process.

Housing stability

• Housing stability in Hennepin County 2017 (PDF)
• Status of housing in Hennepin County 2017 (PDF)

Family homelessness research

• Assessment of the Provision and Use of Emergency Assistance, Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, and Shelter in Hennepin County 2019 (PDF)
• Shelter seasonality findings Hennepin County Final 2015 (PDF)
• Evaluating self-concepts and social experiences of homeless children in Hennepin County 2014 (PDF)
• MFIP 60-month time limits 2014 (PDF)
• Emergency assistance and family shelter 2013 (PDF)
• Mothering while homeless 2012 (PDF)
• Risk of becoming homeless in Hennepin County 2012 (PDF)

Youth homelessness research

• Voices of Youth Count 2017 (PDF)
• A closer look at youth homelessness 2015 (PDF)

Evictions research

• Humphrey capstone presentation on evictions May 2018 (PPT)
• Humphrey report eviction and homelessness May 2018 (PDF)
• Carlson School presentation on model to predict evictions among county clients April 2018 (PPT)
• Final report from Carlson School on predicting evictions among county clients April 2018 (PDF)
• Preserving Home: improving eviction prevention in Minnesota 2017 (PDF)
• Evictions in Minneapolis July 2016 (PDF)

Executive committee

• Oversees the homeless response system in Hennepin County
• Assigns work to operations board and working committees
• Contact: David Hewitt at david.hewitt@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Monday, March 16, 2020, 9–10:30 a.m.
• Hennepin County Government Center
  Conference Room C2350

Operations board

• Ensures HUD requirements, critical tasks and initiatives are put into action
• Contact: Laura DeRosier at laura.derosier@hennepin.us
• Committee documents

Meetings

• First Monday of the month, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Location to be determined

HUD McKinney Vento CoC funding committee

• Monitors and evaluates performance of all projects funded by Continuum of Care
• Solicits new project applications and recommends final funding decisions
• Contact: Laura DeRosier at laura.derosier@hennepin.us

Meetings

• First Monday of the month, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Location to be determined

Homeless prevention and rapid rehousing advisory committee

• Helps the county develop and oversee homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services
• Contact: Stacy Sweeney at stacy.sweeney@ymcamn.org

Meetings

• Third Tuesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• St. Stephen's
  2309 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis

Family coordinated entry leadership committee

• Ensures consistent application of coordinated entry policies, procedures and
• Ensures high quality service for persons and families in a housing crisis
• Contact co-chairs Charlotte Moris at cmoris@stephensmpls.org or Charlotte Kinzley, at charlotte.kinzley@mpls.k12.mn.us

Meetings

• First Tuesday of the month, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Sabathani
  310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

Single adults coordinated entry leadership committee

• Provides guidance and decisions to successfully operate single adult coordinated entry service
• Contact: jwagner@rseden.org

Meetings

• First Tuesday of the month, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Sabathani
  310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

Shelter efficiency

• Improves the homeless shelter system for single adults
• Identifies barriers for single adult shelters and coordinates services
• Enables more effective community-wide strategies to end homelessness
• Contact: Danielle Werder at danielle.werder@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Third Wednesday of the month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Simpson Shelter
  2740 First Avenue South, Minneapolis

Employment and income committee

• Creates strategies to help partners improve employment results for clients
• Builds awareness of the importance of employment and income in preventing and ending homelessness
• Contact: Heidi Schmidt Boyd at heidi.boyd@hennepin.us
• Committee documents

Meetings

• Meeting time is to be determined
• Sabathani
  310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis

Family service network

• Works to improve the family support system, focusing on well-being of children who are homeless
• Identifies more effective community-wide strategies to end homelessness for families
• Contact: Casey Schleisman at casey.schleisman@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Meets quarterly on the second Friday of the month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Various locations

Hennepin County youth collaborative

• Serves as a forum to frame solutions for youth (ages 16-24) experiencing homelessness
• Contact: Casey Schleisman at casey.schleisman@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Third Friday of the month, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• South Hub Hennepin County Human Service Center
  2215 East Lake Street (Room #122), Minneapolis

Youth action board

• Creates a bridge for those serving youth, youth at-risk, and youth experiencing homeless
• Contact: Casey Schleisman at casey.schleisman@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Second Monday of the month, 3–5 p.m.
• Location is to be determined

The outreach group

• Serves as a forum for outreach workers to network, work on system issues and form partnerships
• Contact: Molly Dolan, molly.dolan@hennepin.us

Meetings

• Fourth Tuesday of the month, 9–10:30 a.m.
• St. Stephen's
  2309 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis

Single adult collaborative review

• Provides case consultation using the chronic index
• Contact Sarah Broich at sbroich@simpsonhousing.org

Meetings

• First and Third Tuesdays of the month, 11 a.m. to noon
• St. Olaf Catholic Church (basement meeting room)

Grants to reduce homelessness

The county receives federal money to reduce homelessness:

• Federal money comes from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) McKinney Vento Continuum of Care
• Money goes for grants to local partners
• Partners help people find and stay in housing
• People served are single adults, families and youth who meet HUD’s criteria for homelessness
• The county and its partners compete nationally to receive the money

Grant application documents

• Notice of funding availability (NOFA) for fiscal year 2019 Continuum of Care program competition
• Continuum of Care information from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
• 2019 point in time (PDF)
• 2019 housing inventory (PDF)
• FY2019 NOFA overview and timeline (DOCX)
• FY2019 letter of intent to apply (DOCX)
• 2019 CoC priorities, ranking process, procedures & appeal process (DOCX)
• FY2019 CoC Priority List (PDF)
• FY2019 Collaborative Application (PDF)

2018 grantees

FY2018 grant awards (XLSX)