Understanding Homelessness

Minnesotans experiencing homelessness are moms and dads, sons and daughters, and grandmothers and grandfathers. They are people you would recognize as appearing homeless, and they are also kids in your child's class and the person bagging your groceries.

On October 22^nd, 2015, there were at least 9,312 people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. It is estimated that there are 15,000 people homeless on a given night in Minnesota, with around 40,000 Minnesotans experiencing homelessness in a given year.

On that night in October of 2015, 39% of people experiencing homelessness (or 3,665) were counted in Hennepin County. 48% of those 3,665 people were under the age of 25.

The 9,312 people counted in October of 2015 all met the federal definition of homelessness. You can read the full definition here, but it essentially requires that a person lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and is primarily spending nights in shelter or in public or private places not meant for human habitation.

Other definitions of homelessness include people who are "doubling up" or staying with a friend, but St. Stephen's generally uses the federal definition to align with funding requirements.

For more information about who is homeless in the Twin Cities, this article is very helpful: Getting a handle on the size of the homeless population in the Twin Cities, MinnPost.

There is only one thing that people experiencing homelessness have in common: they don't have a stable place to live.

Homelessness is the result of complicated, systemic traumas. Actions and events that lead to homelessness cannot be reduced to voluntary choices made by individuals and families.

A fundamental reason that people are experiencing homelessness is that there is not enough affordable housing in Minnesota. Read more about that issue here: Affordable Housing.

Another fundamental reason that people experience homelessness in Minnesota is that the minimum wage is not a bridge out of poverty. In Minnesota, a household must earn more than $39,000 per year to afford the average 2-bedroom rental while leaving enough of their income for food and other needs. Learn more about this issue here: Economic Stability.

Evictions are another major challenge in our community. Evictions create housing instability in the short-term when families and individuals lose their immediate housing, and limiting housing access in the long-term since property owners frequently screen out potential tenants who have prior evictions. Our friends at CommonBond Communities have a must-read article on "Four Myths About Evictions."

For more information about why people are experiencing homelessness, this article is a great start: Start by knowing why: 5 reasons people are homeless in Minnesota, MinnPost.

St. Stephen's ends homelessness for individuals and families every day. Through prevention, targeted intervention, and Housing First practices, we support people in stabilizing and rebuilding their lives.

To learn more about what needs to be done to end homelessness on a larger scale in Minnesota, view our Advocacy Agenda and sign up for the Advocacy in ACTion Network. The first place to start would be contacting your legislators to let them know you want more affordable housing in Minnesota.

Homelessness is not a character flaw, it's a math problem, Wilder Foundation

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Understanding Homelessness

The Coalition for the Homeless

Minnesota Housing Partnership's 2017 State of the State's Housing