Newly released data showed a large decrease in veteran homelessness in Minnesota, which is the lowest it has ever been.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) released new data showing that only 150 veterans remain homeless in Minnesota, which is the lowest level ever recorded. This represents a 25 percent decrease from last year and a 41 percent decrease from two years ago.
“This is an unprecedented milestone for the state,” said Paul Williams, MDVA Deputy Director of Veterans Programs. “This is an incredible partnership between state, federal and local governments with non-profits, community groups and veteran service organizations and shows the power of community and working together to reach this incredible achievement.”
The MDVA began monitoring veterans experiencing homelessness in 2015. Under the leadership of Governor Tim Walz, MDVA added more resources for veterans through the Homeless Veteran Registry (HVR).
The HVR is an online tool designed to support Minnesota veterans who need housing and are currently experiencing homelessness. The database is facilitated by MDVA and authorizes providers to collaborate across agencies to find housing solutions. The resources are tailored to each veteran and provide case management to help them transition from homelessness into permanent housing.
“We are close to becoming the fourth state in the country with the designation of effectively ending homelessness among veterans,” according to a statement from the MDVA.
Since 2015 the number of unhoused veterans has been reduced from more than 600 to the new data of 150.
In 2023, MDVA also created the Veterans Supportive Housing Options program, which acquired 87 supportive housing units for veterans experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans received support to create an additional 74 rental units, totaling 161 units. This support was key in creating Minnesota’s Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy, a program that mirrored the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program model, to assist additional veterans who are unable to access HUD-VASH within the state.
“We’re proud that Minnesotans collectively make it clear that we will not allow our veteran neighbors to experience homelessness after raising their hand to serve and protect our country. In Minnesota, veteran homelessness is unacceptable, and the HVR results are proof of that,” says MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “MDVA has been leading this collaborative effort that’s included everything from asking landlords to open their doors to veterans to developing simple and easily accessible tools to get veterans on the registry.”
