1. Ending Homelessness in Minnesota
Cathy ten Broeke
State Director to Prevent and End Homelessness
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

2. One Night Study – Wilder Research
10,214
3,546
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

3. Who is homeless in Minnesota?
Nearly half of all people homeless in the state are children and youth (46%)
Adult males (22 or older) make up 29% of all people experiencing homelessness in the state
Adult Females (22 or older) make up 25% of all people experiencing homelessness in the state
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

4. Changes since the 2009 study
6% increase since 2009
More older adults
More children
Drop in homeless veterans and long term homeless single adults
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

5. What has not changed? Inability to afford housing
Long-term health issues
Violence and exploitation
Traumatic experiences in childhood
Transition years (15-21) are time of greatest risk
Racial disparities
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

6. Not enough affordable housing
40% of study participants on waiting list
15% more cannot get on because they are closed
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

7. Housing affordability gap
Monthly median income
Metro $381
Greater MN $403
Fair market rent
Metro $745
Greater MN $531
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

8. Chronic health conditions are common
55%
51%
22%
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

9. Violence towards homeless women
Homeless women report:
48% have stayed in an abusive relationship
27% left last housing because of abuse
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

10. Youth on their own age 21 and younger account for 1,151 homeless
58% have been in placement
55% have been abused or neglected
60% of youth have had at least one parent incarcerated
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

11. Racial disparities 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

12. What do we know today? Recession has had a big impact
There is not enough affordable housing
Many who are homeless today have barriers to living independently
The path to adulthood is rocky for some youth
Poverty is still concentrated among people of color, disparities are still large
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

13. What gives us hope?
Some improvement among groups targeted for solutions
Single long-term homeless adults
Veterans
Children are able to get to and stay in school
Newly allocated money in Minnesota for housing
Solutions that address systems, not just individuals
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

14. The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness
Corrections
Education
Employment and Economic Development
Health
Higher Education
Housing
Human Rights
Human Services
Public Safety
Transportation
Veterans Affairs
Governor’s Office
Vision: Prevent and End Homelessness for All Minnesotans
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

15. Why is this important for Minnesota?
Housing stability is a platform for better educational outcomes for our children, a stronger workforce both now and in the future, increased public safety, better health, reduced health care costs, and reduced disparities among populations.
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

16. What do we mean by “ending” homelessness?
“Ending Homelessness” means that we will prevent homelessness whenever possible and if a family or individual does become homeless we will have a crisis response system to assess their needs and provide them the opportunity to quickly access stable housing. It does not mean that no one ever again will experience homelessness.
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

17. What can we do?
Prevent homelessness whenever possible, especially at transition points from adult and youth systems of care.
Reduce barriers and increase access to mainstream resources (health care, disability, public housing, TANF, etc.) for people at-risk or experiencing homelessness.
Improve effectiveness of existing resources by improving the coordination/compatibility of resources so that assistance provided best meets the needs of the individual or family.
Improve targeting of existing resources to ensure that we are utilizing existing resources in the most effective ways possible. Highest cost, most in-depth services should be targeted to people who need them the most.
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

18. What can we do?
Improve our data, both quality and access, and use it to drive policy.
Reduce disparities through culturally responsible actions and approaches.
Increase investments in what we know works (evidence-based solutions), such as housing with services.
Align with and build on our work with the Federal plan (to leverage additional resources) and local community and tribal plans to end homelessness.
Increase public education/information, awareness, and engagement.
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

19. Contact Information:
Cathy ten Broeke
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM
2013 HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM