Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness

People living outside risk fines, criminal charges, and jail in communities where police enforce so-called camping bans that make it a crime to sleep in public. Approaches that impose criminal penalties for no other reason than simply experiencing unsheltered homelessness cost three times more than providing housing and services. These approaches can lead to unintended, harmful, and even deadly consequences. And bluntly, they do not solve homelessness in the short- or long-term.    The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has offered a better approach. “19 Strategies for Communities to Address Encampments Humanely and Effectively” provides guidance for how communities can balance the safety, dignity, and well-being of people living outside with other community needs. Learn more at usich.gov/encampments #homelessness #encampments #usich #minnesota #endhomelessness  

The holidays can be a joy-filled season, but they can also be a very stressful or difficult time for many of us. Sadness, loneliness, and concerns about finances are real and may make it feel that a “cup of cheer” isn’t in the cards this year. Whether you are unhoused or housed in this season, we see you and we care about you, and we are grateful you are here.    You matter. If you or someone you know is struggling with a concern about relationships, economic worries, substance use, mental or physical illness, or anything else (no concern is too small!) call or text 988 or chat with someone at chat.988lifeline.org/ for free, confidential help. #YouMatter #StayConnectedMN #holidays #Minnesota

Meet Katie Brown, one of the 14 paid Implementation Consultants – all people with lived experience of homelessness – working on implementing MICH’s Crossroads to Justice plan!    Katie is from the Leech Lake Reservation in Northern Minnesota. She is a mother to 3 wonderful children and a “Glamma” to a beautiful baby boy. Katie is a case manager with the Leech Lake Housing Authority Homeless Resources Program and is very passionate about her work. She has the pleasure to be a voice for our unhoused men, women, and children in her community at a low point in their lives. Now, with MICH, Katie can bring what she has learned from all these voices to support the implementation of the Crossroads to Justice strategic plan. Katie’s mission is to assist and advocate for our relatives who are unhoused or at risk of losing their homes and help individuals and families from all background’s secure safe indoor shelters or permanent homes. Katie would love to end homelessness one step at a time.    One of the agencies Katie is working with is the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).    "My experience with DEED has been phenomenal since I joined as an Implementation Consultant. One of the aspects we are currently focusing on is a workforce center for Minnesota reservations to help relatives in need search for housing, employment opportunities, and connect with other local resources. This is important because it helps to provide a range of services that is essential in helping individuals find employment, while also connecting employers with qualified candidates to fill their workforce needs, particularly in local areas. The workforce center idea is most advanced with one reservation right now, but proposals for other reservations are also in the works.” #CrossroadsToJustice #Minnesota #LeechLake #workforce #endhomelessness

What resources are available to people who are new arrivals, and how can we best help people access them?     That’s what we’ll be covering on the January 8, 2025 MICH webinar! Make sure you’re registered by going to mich.mn.gov/webinars    Please note that January 8 is a change from our typical schedule, which would have seen the webinar happen on January 1. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, January 8! #Minnesota #webinar #housing #resources 

Homelessness disproportionately affects our Native and Black relatives here in #Minnesota. We are holding ourselves accountable to reduce the disparities in who faces homelessness, recognizing these disparities are the result of structural racism, genocide, and economic inequities. #racialjustice #endhomelessness #economicjustice

Every year, hundreds of community members come together for the Homeless Memorial March and Service. We honor the memories of people who passed away while experiencing homelessness, who were previously homeless, or who were advocates. Simpson and Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless invite you to join us for the 40th anniversary on Dec. 12, 2024, at Plymouth Congregational Church Minneapolis. For more information about the event, please visit https://lnkd.in/gRUgaMNc.

What has been a meaningful moment or new insight for you in addressing homelessness this year? Let us know in the comments!

Meet Boo McCaleb, one of the 14 paid Implementation Consultants – all people with lived experience of homelessness – working on implementing MICH’s Crossroads to Justice plan! Boo, aka Booscapes, is a Minneapolis-based Projection Artist, Filmmaker, and Public Arts Consultant. Grounded in intuition, spirituality, and kindness, Boo blends sensory experiences and creative technology to foster holistic wellness and pathways to community. A graduate of Macalester College in Media and Cultural Studies, Boo is driven by a passion for public art, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. As a Black Trans and Native artist, Boo brings unique perspectives to his work, believing in its power to promote wellness, joy, and healing for the city of Minneapolis.    One of the agencies Boo is working with is the Minnesota Department of Administration.   "Currently, in my work with MICH I have been working in a coordinated grant data and measurement team as a representative of the Department of Administration, in partnership with Minnesota Housing, DHS, and other various Minnesota state agency staff. In this group we are compiling data, identifying equitable data measurement practices for ongoing grant making efforts statewide, and identifying local partnerships from BIPOC organizations to increase grant accessibility to diversify grant fund recipients.     "This group is within a larger grant equity making effort as a part of the Crossroads to Justice plan to engage state agencies in Result 1. Result 1 states, ‘Council agencies will collaborate and co-lead with impacted communities that have been historically oppressed and excluded such as Black, Brown and people of color, poor/low income, LGBTQIA2S+, people with disabilities, older adults, foreign-born, and people who have faced homelessness and Tribal Nations to implement the action plan on housing, racial and health justice.’ Specific actions include making grant processes equitable, transparent and accessible and increasing staff capacity to provide technical assistance and support for grantees. This work overlaps with state homeless programs and the homeless data work group." #CrossroadsToJustice #Minnesota #equity #endhomelessness

Facts.