Data plays a pivotal role in efforts to identify and develop solutions to prevent and end homelessness in Minnesota. A number of statewide data systems and collection efforts capture information on people experiencing homelessness and this page includes resources on the public data available in Minnesota. It also includes graphics on how different populations are disproportionally impacted by homelessness and key trends in the changing state of homelessness in Minnesota.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Minnesota
This graph depicts the disproportional representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in poverty and homeless populations in Minnesota. Each value represents how likely a specific population is to be in poverty or homeless compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. For example, Native Americans and American Indians are 30 times more likely experiencing homelessness than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Populations with a “1” are proportionally represented in poverty or homelessness compared to the general population.
This graph depicts the disproportional representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in poverty and homeless populations in Minnesota. Each value represents how likely a specific population is to be in poverty or homeless compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. For example, Native Americans and American Indians are 30 times more likely experiencing homelessness than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Populations with a “1” are proportionally represented in poverty or homelessness compared to the general population.
This graph depicts the disproportional representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in poverty and homeless populations in Minnesota. Each value represents how likely a specific population is to be in poverty or homeless compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. For example, Native Americans and American Indians are 30 times more likely experiencing homelessness than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Populations with a “1” are proportionally represented in poverty or homelessness compared to the general population.
This graph depicts the disproportional representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in poverty and homeless populations in Minnesota. Each value represents how likely a specific population is to be in poverty or homeless compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. For example, Native Americans and American Indians are 30 times more likely experiencing homelessness than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Populations with a “1” are proportionally represented in poverty or homelessness compared to the general population.
People Experiencing Homelessness in Minnesota, Point-in-Time Count
This graph depicts the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Point-in-Time count between 2017 and 2022. The Point-in-Time Count is an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered people on a single night in January conducted nationwide. The Point-in-Time count does not capture the number of people who experience homelessness throughout an entire year.
This graph depicts the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Point-in-Time count between 2017 and 2022. The Point-in-Time Count is an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered people on a single night in January conducted nationwide. The Point-in-Time count does not capture the number of people who experience homelessness throughout an entire year.
Relative Change in Populations of People Experiencing Homelessness in Minnesota, Point-in-Time Count
This graph depicts the relative change in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Point-in-Time count each year compared to 2017.
This graph depicts the relative change in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Point-in-Time count each year compared to 2017.
HUD’s annual Point-in-Time study
The Point-in-Time count is a nationwide, annual count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people on a single night in January, facilitated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In Minnesota, Continuum of Care (CoC) coordinators, the Institute for Community Alliances (ICA), Tribal nations, service and shelter providers, outreach workers, schools, and volunteers come together to coordinate the PIT count across the state. The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness staff publish a statewide summary of the Point-in-Time Count results each year; data specific to each Continuum of Care region is available from those regions.
More information on the Point-in-Time: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hdx/pit-hic/
2024 PIT Council Statewide Summary
2023 PIT Council Statewide Summary
2022 PIT Council Statewide Summary
Wilder Triannual Study on Homelessness in Minnesota
Since 1991, Wilder Research conducts a triannual point-in-time study of people experiencing homelessness across the state. Wilder utilizes face-to-face interviews and a count of individuals living in shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a single night. The count and face-to-face interviews provide information on the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness, conditions contributing to their homelessness, and the barriers to obtaining safe, stable, and affordable housing. Since 2006, Wilder also conducts a Reservation Homeless Study in partnership with six of Minnesota’s tribal nations. The most recent Minnesota Homeless Study and Reservation Homeless Study occurred in October 2018. Wilder postponed it’s planned 2021 study to October of 2022.
More information on the Wilder study: http://mnhomeless.org/
Minnesota Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Dashboards:
Statewide, 220 homeless service agencies utilize Minnesota’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to collect client-level data on people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. State, local, and tribal partners use this data system to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing resources, identify characteristics for people experiencing homelessness, and determine housing outcomes for people accessing homeless services. The Institute for Community Alliances manages Minnesota’s HMIS and publishes data on the people utilizing Minnesota’s HMIS to support communities monitoring progress toward making homelessness rare and non-recurring.
More information on Minnesota’s HMIS Dashboards: https://www.hmismn.org/minnesota-dashboards
MDE Data on Students Experiencing Homelessness
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) collects information about students who are homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This definition, individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, is more expansive than Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition and includes students who are doubled up. MDE publishes data on the number of students who are experiencing homelessness on October 1st of every school year in their student enrollment reports.
More information on MDE’s enrollment data including the number of students experiencing homelessness: https://public.education.mn.gov/MDEAnalytics/DataTopic.jsp?TOPICID=2
DHS Emergency Services Program: Proposals Due April 7
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide emergency shelter, drop-in/day shelter or street outreach through the Emergency Services Program. This RFP is the mechanism by which providers will have access to the anticipated annual increase in Emergency Services Program (ESP) funding of approximately $11 million, with the exact amount of funding available determined as part of the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for approximately 24 months, from July 2025 until June 30, 2027.
These funds can be used to meet the operation, administration and supportive services costs of shelter, drop-in/day shelter, and outreach programs. As part of the evaluation phase, priority points will be awarded to DHS-funded shelter capital projects and projects specifically targeting the unsheltered, urban (7-county metro) American Indian Community.
Funding under this RFP is to be distributed statewide to the maximum extent possible. There is no cap on the maximum award amount, or the number of awards made by the STATE. However, applicants should consider the following when submitting their funding request:
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The amount of funding needed to successfully deliver the programming they propose,
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their capacity to administer and effectively utilize the funding they are requesting, and
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the need that exists for Emergency Services Program funding in all Minnesota communities.
Questions?
Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, March 27, 202 prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be addressed to: Homelessness, Housing & Support Services (HHSSA) ESP RFP question , Attention: Molly.McInerny@state.mn.us
Questions will be addressed in writing and posted on the DHS Grants and RFP website via a link to Responder Questions and Answers.
Submission Deadline:
Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., Central Time, on Monday, April 7, 2025 to OEO.Shelter.and.Housing.DHS@state.mn.us. Late proposals will not be considered.
DHS RFP for repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless or at-risk youth: Proposals Due April 17
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through the Homelessness, Housing, & Support Services Administration is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to make minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. This RFP is the mechanism by which $2 million dollars for state fiscal years 2026-2027 will be awarded in accordance with 256K.45, subd. 7. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for one (1) or two (2) years, from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, or July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
These funds can be used to make minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. Please note:
- Eligible responders must be a current Homeless Youth Act (HYA) funded grantee and be providing a program that specializes in working with young people.
- Grantees are not restricted from applying in the RFP if they received funding in the previous biennium.
- Funding under this RFP is to be distributed statewide to the maximum extent possible.
- The cap on the maximum award amount is $500,000.00, and the STATE anticipates awarding at least four grants.
Questions? Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be addressed to:
HHSSA’s Youth Facilities RFP question - Attention: Stephanie Martin Stephanie.A.Martin@state.mn.us
Questions will be addressed in writing and posted on the DHS Grants and RFP website via a link to Responder Questions and Answers.
Submission Deadline: Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., Central Time, on Thursday, April 17, 2025 to Stephanie.A.Martin@state.mn.us. Late proposals will not be considered.
DHS Community Living Infrastructure Funding: Proposals Due May 8
DHS is seeking to integrate housing resources into health and human service delivery systems to support individuals transitioning from segregated settings, experiencing housing instability, or homelessness through Community Living Infrastructure funding.
DHS, through its Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Division, is seeking Proposals to develop and integrate housing resources within the local human service delivery system throughout the state as well as, to expand the operations and monitoring of the Housing Support program statewide through local government agencies. Eligible activities include outreach and navigation, capacity building, and Housing Support implementation.
Eligible applicants include counties, Tribal Nations, multi-Tribal collaboratives, and multi-county social service collaboratives. County Collaborations or Tribal Collaboratives are eligible applicants and encouraged to expand infrastructure for housing services across communities.
Questions:
Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time by Thursday, April 17, 2025. All questions must be submitted to Infrastructure.team.DHS@state.mn.us and reference “Community Living Infrastructure question” in the subject line.
Submission Deadline:
The proposal must be submitted electronically via email by 4:00 p.m. Central Time on May 8, 2025 to be considered. The RFP must be emailed to: Infrastructure.team.DHS@state.mn.us with Subject Line: HHSSA Community Living Infrastructure Proposal.
DHS Housing Access Services: Proposals Due May 15
DHS, through its Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Division, is seeking to provide support to individuals with disabilities or disabling conditions to access housing through Housing Access Services (HAS). Housing Access Services provides essential support to individuals with disabling conditions who are not enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA), as well as to those currently housed and receiving MA who wish to move, even if they are not at immediate risk of losing their housing. The successful Responder will provide support to eligible individuals with disabilities or disabling conditions, including those with housing barriers, to access housing in the community.
$978,000 is available to eligible Responders. Public and private agencies are eligible to apply for Housing Access Services Grants. Nonprofit/non-governmental agencies, for-profit agencies, municipal governments, and Tribal Nations are eligible to apply. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for two (2) years, from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2027.
Questions?
- A Responders’ Conference will be held virtually, via WebEx, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). The conference will serve as an opportunity for Responders to ask specific questions of STATE staff concerning the project. Page 9 of the RFP document details how to join the Responders' Conference.
- Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, April 24, 2025 prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be submitted to Infrastructure.team.DHS@state.mn.us and reference “Housing Access Services Question” in the subject line.
Submission Deadline:
The proposal must be submitted electronically via email on Thursday, May 15, 2025 by 4:00 p.m. Central Time to be considered. The RFP must be emailed to: Infrastructure.team.DHS@state.mn.us and Subject Line: HHSSA Housing Access Services Proposal
MDVA Minnesota’s Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy (MNVEST) program: Proposals Due April 1
To administer the Minnesota’s Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy (MNVEST) program to former service members who are active on the MDVA Homeless Veteran Registry (HVR), and do not qualify for or do not have access to Federal Veterans Administration (VA) services. The goal of the MNVEST program is to provide the assigned former service members intensive case management services and rental assistance throughout the state of Minnesota. The selected contractor will be expected to administer the MNVEST program to the assigned former service members for up to two years, ensuring the former service members successfully maintain permanent housing. Veterans with housing barriers preventing them in finding stable housing through other pathways beyond the two-year mark can be extended in the MNVEST program upon MDVA approval. Respondents must have the capacity to administer the MNVEST program statewide.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, MNVEST RFP is available online (access the SWIFT portal for this RFP here and/or reference event number H7501-2000016798).
Proposals are due April 1, 2025
All responses to these solicitations (termed an “Event” within SWIFT) must be submitted through SWIFT using the Supplier portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Training and documentation on how to submit your response is available through the Supplier portal link above. Fax, e-mail, and printed responses will not be accepted or considered.
For assistance with the SWIFT System and posting, responders must contact Minnesota Management and Budget help desk at 651-201-8100, option 1, then option 1 again, or go to MMB Help page. Please be advised that the process to load an event in SWIFT takes time and that the Helpdesk is only available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
MDVA OPERATION: Opening Veterans to Every Resource (OVER) program: Proposals Due April 1
The goal of OPERATION: OVER is to serve former service members whose needs cannot be met through Veterans Administration (VA) programming, effectively filling a major gap in our community’s homeless program services. The services to be provided include outreach, rapport building, and connections to mainstream resources within the Twin Cities 7-county metropolitan region. The resources are also intended to contribute to the stability of a former service members permanent housing with mental or chemical health support, financial or employment supports, or establishing long-term health care services.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Operation OVER RFP is available online (access the SWIFT portal for this RFP here and/or reference event number H7501-2000016799).
Proposals are due April 1, 2025
All responses to these solicitations (termed an “Event” within SWIFT) must be submitted through SWIFT using the Supplier portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Training and documentation on how to submit your response is available through the Supplier portal link above. Fax, e-mail, and printed responses will not be accepted or considered.
For assistance with the SWIFT System and posting, responders must contact Minnesota Management and Budget help desk at 651-201-8100, option 1, then option 1 again, or go to MMB Help page. Please be advised that the process to load an event in SWIFT takes time and that the Helpdesk is only available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Local Homeless Prevention Aid
Local homeless prevention aid is funding distributed to counties to help local governments ensure no child is homeless within a local jurisdiction by keeping families from losing housing and helping those experiencing homelessness find housing. Learn more about this funding, resources for counties and their partners related to the funding, and recommendations and considerations for maximizing the impact of these dollars on the program page.
The Minnesota Statewide Training Planning Workgroup (comprised of state agency staff, Continuum of Care (CoC) leads, and nonprofit partners from across the state) was formed in 2019 to help identify resources and strategies to better meet the training needs of shelter and housing providers across the state. This page will be built out to include a variety of training topics.
NAEH Center for Learning | Homeless and Housing Resource Center | SHELTER WORKER | STREETWORKS | HOUSING FIRST
Experiencing homelessness or housing instability and you need help?
To find essential services and resources in your community, dial 211, or visit 211.org. Referral specialists can help link or refer you directly to an agency or organization that can help.
Find Additional Resources https://www.mnhousing.gov/housing-help.html