A coalition of public, private and non-profit leaders unveiled a plan they hope will end homelessness in Minnesota by 2020.
The new plan, ‘Heading Home Together: Minnesota’s 2018-2020 Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness’ comes from the Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative and looks to accelerate progress towards ending homelessness for veterans, chronically homeless individuals, unaccompanied youth and young adults, and families with children.
Cathy ten Broeke, the State Director to Prevent and End Homelessness, says this plan marks an exciting moment in the fight against homelessness in the state. And while they can never completely eliminate the potential of a housing crisis leading to homelessness, the plan can give them concrete ways to make sure periods of homelessness for individuals are rare, brief and only occur once.
Since 2014 Minnesota Homelessness has decreased eight percent statewide and ten Broeke says this plan incorporates what they have seen work over the past four years. Governor Dayton has included $115 million in his 2018 Public Works Bill proposal to aid affordable housing efforts. Ten Broeke says they hope to draw more funding for the plan from philanthropic giving.
MNN Interview with Cathy ten Broeke, Minnesota State Director to Prevent and End Homelessness: