Housing Stability

A home that is reliable, safe, and affordable provides a strong foundation that supports other aspects of people’s well-being. Stable housing that meets the needs of individuals and families benefits people’s physical and mental health because they are protected from environmental dangers and experience less stress. Stable homes also create an environment that supports educational opportunities and helps students do well in school.¹ Additionally, when people have a stable home, it makes it easier for them to find and keep a job.² Having a consistent place to live allows individuals and families to establish roots and build social connections, which leads to being more engaged in the community. This sense of belonging and ownership contributes to neighborhood stability and helps reduce crime rates.³

According to the 2023 HUD Point-in-Time count, roughly 8,393 individuals experience homelessness across the state of Minnesota on a nightly basis. This measure undercounts the need for housing because it does not consider people temporarily living (“doubling up”) with family or friends. While progress has been made in providing emergency and temporary housing for children and families, the lack of affordable housing continues to be a persistent challenge in securing long-term homes for people. Single adults who have both medical conditions and other challenges face the most significant obstacles in finding permanent housing or even suitable transitional housing.⁴ There are also significant racial disparities when it comes to homelessness. In 2023, the American Indian population in Minnesota was 28 times more likely than the white, non-Hispanic population to experience homelessness, while the Black population in Minnesota was 13 times more likely to experience homelessness.

A priority on housing stability addresses a fundamental human need and ensures a safe and secure environment that contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life for all residents of Minnesota.

Goal: All Minnesotans have housing stability.

Measurable goal for 2027: Reduce the number of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness by 16 percent, including a reduction in the inequities of who experiences homelessness.

The data provided above is subject to revision. To access underlying data for the visualization above, use a mouse or keyboard to select the visualization and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Full functionality may not be available with Internet Explorer browser.

Source: HUD Point-In-Time Counts

Technical notes: Counts are completed in January of every year by outreach workers. The unsheltered portion of the PIT count was not conducted statewide in 2021 and the data is not comparable to other years. This count should be treated as a minimum number of people experiencing homelessness as it does not account for people “doubling up,” e.g., staying with family or friends because they have lost their housing.

References:

¹ Kornbluh, M., Wilking, J., Roll, S., & Donatello, R. (2022). Exploring housing insecurity in relation to student success. Journal of American College Health, 1–5. Advance online publication.

² Carnemolla, P., & Skinner, V. (2021). Outcomes Associated with Providing Secure, Stable, and Permanent Housing for People Who Have Been Homeless: An International Scoping Review. Journal of Planning Literature, 36(4), 508–525.

³ Bean K. F., Shafer M. S., Glennon M. 2013. The Impact of Housing First and Peer Support on People Who Are Medically Vulnerable and Homeless. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 36 (1): 48.