Minnesota is one step closer to ending Veteran homelessness across the state with Hennepin County Continuum of Care leaders announcing on Oct. 15 that they had reached “functional zero.” This milestone leaves only the Ramsey County Continuum of Care to reach this same goal, before Minnesota may become the fourth state in the country to end Veteran homelessness.

Irene Fernando, Hennepin County Board chair, commended the achievement, noting that the county and its partners are now housing Veterans experiencing homelessness at a higher rate than new Veterans are coming into the homelessness system. As a result, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Veterans Affairs certified that the area has effectively ended homelessness among Veterans in Minnesota’s largest county.

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay thanked the numerous public and nonprofit partners that have collaborated to reach this outcome. “At a time when homelessness is rising across the country, we’ve turned the tide. Since February 2023, across the state, Veteran homelessness has been reduced by 47%, and chronic Veteran homelessness by 80%. And in Hennepin County specifically, Veteran homelessness has been reduced by 50% and chronic Veteran homelessness has been reduced by an astonishing 92%! Each of these numbers represents a Veteran who now has a home.”

Lindsay also clarified the definition: “’Functional zero’ does not mean that no Veteran is experiencing homelessness, or that no Veteran will experience homelessness in the future. It does mean that a community has driven that number down to zero, and is keeping it below the community’s capacity to ensure positive exits from homelessness.

“For example, imagine if the homeless system operated like a well-functioning hospital. That hospital will not necessarily prevent people from ever becoming sick. But it will ensure people are triaged appropriately, promptly receive the services they need, and address the illness, preventing further harm,” he explained.

Like other Minnesota Continuums of Care that have achieved this milestone, Hennepin County’s Veteran homelessness response system quickly identifies and engages Veterans and connects them with housing and resources. As of October 11, 73 Veterans are experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County, 11 of whom are unsheltered. The county is home to 48,410 Veterans, one-sixth of the state’s Veteran population.

Ending Veteran homelessness has been a priority of MDVA for more than a decade. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the MDVA team, front-line outreach staff, and the case managers who are doing the hard work of connecting Veterans with the services they need. Your dedication has made today possible,” Lindsay said.

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