Since the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and its partners began concerted efforts to end Veteran homelessness in 2015, the number of Minnesota Veterans experiencing homelessness on any one day has decreased from more than 600 to around 200. While the goal remains to achieve “functional zero” across the state, progress over the last nine years demonstrates that it is possible, with more than 3,300 success stories to date.

A collaboration of public, state and nonprofit partners has already effectively ended Veteran homelessness in eight of 10 Continuums of Care (CoC) in Minnesota. These areas include the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, West Central, Suburban Metro Area (SMAC), Central and St. Louis Continuums of Care (CoC) regions in Minnesota. Targeted work is underway in the remaining two CoCs: Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

Paul Williams, MDVA Deputy Director for Veterans Programs, notes: “Ending Veteran homelessness does not mean that another Veteran will never experience homelessness in Minnesota. Instead, it means that we have a homeless response system that prevents a Veteran from becoming homeless whenever possible, and any homeless experience is rare, brief and one time.”

In a recent interview on Minnesota Military Radio, MDVA Senior Homeless Programs Coordinators Ali Kier and Nora Cronin shared an update on the team’s progress.

There are many factors that lead to Veterans experiencing homelessness, they explained. Most unhoused individuals may be impacted by a community’s overall lack of affordable housing, have experienced a job or income loss, general poverty, mental and physical health challenges and substance abuse. In addition, many Veterans live with the lingering effect of PTSD, often compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. And, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some Veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment.

MDVA has a number of programs and services available to Veterans experiencing homelessness:

• Homeless Veteran Registry is a by name list which connects Veterans experiencing homelessness with housing and other services in their community. It also helps programs and partners serving Veterans to coordinate their efforts. Anyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard can join the Registry, regardless of the type of discharge or length of time in the service. Those who join the registry will be supported by a team of housing and service professionals who work together to identify housing and services that meet each Veteran’s specific needs.
• SOAR is a partnership between MDVA, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the U.S. Social Security Administration to provide Minnesota’s Veterans who are homeless and at-risk of homelessness with expanded access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
• V-TEMP (Veteran Temporary Emergency Housing Assistance Program) focuses on areas in Minnesota with little or no access to temporary emergency housing for Veterans and their households experiencing homelessness. VTEMP provides reimbursements to community service providers who are covering the cost of temporary hotel room(s) or non-congregate temporary unit(s) for Veterans or former service members and their households, who are actively experiencing homelessness. The VTEMP program is considered a last alternative and implemented when there are no other temporary emergency housing options in the community.
• Property Management Incentive Program focuses on outreach to property managers who can provide a critical link in the housing process. Those who are willing to provide a home to a Veteran may qualify for the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Program that includes a financial incentive and risk protection to make doing the right thing the smartest thing.
• HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program provides rental assistance and clinical services for Veterans experiencing homelessness.

Veterans who are struggling with housing instability are encouraged to reach out to LinkVet at 888-LinkVet or call the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans at 833-222-MACV (6228) or 877-4AID-VET (424-3838).