Today is November 1, which marks the beginning of Homelessness Awareness Month and the lead up to Give to the Max Day on November 16. People are experiencing homelessness year round, but Homelessness Awareness Month is a great time to take a step back and truly notice what homeless people go through every day. People are experiencing homelessness all around us—even when we don’t see them.
The Minnesota Problem
On January 25, 2023, Minnesota’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) counted 8,393 individuals experiencing homelessness. This count marks a 6% increase since 2022. The Twin Cities make up the majority of this statistic, with Hennepin and Ramsey Counties accounting for over half of all homeless Minnesotans.
People of color are disproportionately affected, at 60% of the homeless population. Young people are also severely affected, with nearly half of all homeless Minnesotans under the age of 18.
Veterans struggle with homelessness all across Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 22.37% of Minnesota’s veterans struggle with recurring homelessness.
People who experience homelessness face greater risk of injury or even death due to exposure and health problems. Living without a home or a safe roof over your head also affects a person’s mental health and self-confidence, as they experience a loss of independence and self-reliance. No longer do they have the resources to live a safe and fulfilling life.
Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s Solution
Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy solution to this problem. However, the Housing First Minnesota Foundation was created to provide hope and housing to those in need. The Foundation partners with other Minnesota non-profits and Housing First Minnesota member organizations to build, renovate, or repair homes for people experiencing homelessness. Over the years, our Foundation has completed over 62 community builds that have provided shelter beds to over 200 Minnesotans. Each year, they continue to raise funds for this life-changing work and break ground on new builds across the Twin Cities.
How You Can Help
Our Foundation is fueled by volunteers and community partners who use their time, talent, or resources to help build new lives for Twin Cities families and individuals.
Donate – With your financial support, we can help build and repair more transitional housing to support our veterans and other Minnesotans in need. Make a donation to the Foundation >>
Become a Build Partner – Our build partners are the cornerstones of our projects. Without them, we could not do what we do each day. Learn more >>
Submit a Project – If you are a service organization looking to submit a project for consideration, apply for a partnership here >>
Become a Dream Home – Every Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase, a select number of home entries are chosen as Dream Homes to help support the Foundation’s work. These unique homes also gain extra exposure and personalized marketing. Learn more and apply >>
Stay Engaged with the Foundation – If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation or supporting the work that we do, visit the website >>
Give to the Max
November 1 kicks off the lead up to Give to the Max Day on November 16. Statewide, Give to the Max Day is considered Minnesota’s holiday for generosity. It is a time of year when donations are needed to ensure we can continue our pursuit to end homelessness now and in the future. November is a very important time for generosity and impact.
As you think about your personal giving this time of year, please consider the Housing First Minnesota Foundation as your charity of choice. Our goal is to raise $20,000 during this year’s Give to the Max. Help us build homes and make an impact on homelessness. Make a donation >>
