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Resources for Youth
A new handbook and website offer a variety of resources and legal information for youth experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. See the Homeless Youth Handbook - Issues and Options here. Thank you to Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Ecolab, and Baker & McKenzie for making this resource available.
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Blog Picks
Roads to Recovery by Amy Highness, Hearth Connection Metro Regional Manager and Evaluation Specialist
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Hearth Connection
2446 University Ave West
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
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Please see the latest news and updates below:
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Affordable Housing Projects Funded Across Minnesota
Minnesota's supply of affordable housing received a much-needed boost with $162 million awarded in funding. In late October, Minnesota Housing announced funding for 78 projects that will create or preserve affordable housing in 33 cities across the state.
Due to the bipartisan commitment of state legislators, the advocacy of hundreds of citizens, and the collaborative work of agencies in the Homes for All coalition, the state bonding bill passed last legislative session included $100 million for affordable housing. These bonds were leveraged with other funding sources, enabling Minnesota Housing to fund $162 million in projects in October. In addition, $20 million to rehabilitate public housing will be awarded in the beginning of 2015.
Projects funded include affordable housing development for youth, funding for the Dorothy Day revision (Higher Ground in St. Paul), and site-based supportive housing. A total of 4,000 housing units across Minnesota will be affected by the new funding for rental and homeownership projects.
Together we've made incredible progress, but more work is needed to fill the gap of affordable housing in our state. The funds awarded marked the largest capital investment by Minnesota Housing, yet the demand for affordable housing still overshadowed available funds-for every affordable housing development that was funded, two housing proposals were denied.
The Homes for All coalition, which represents over 100 diverse organizations including educators, faith organizations, and community agencies, played a pivotal role in championing affordable housing and building a broad base of support for the $100 million in housing bonds passed last legislative session. Hearth Connection will continue to support the incredible work, momentum, and collaboration of the Homes for All coalition. In the upcoming legislative session, we will continue to advocate for services and affordable housing to end homelessness and promote stability for Minnesota's most vulnerable families, individuals, and youth.
Thank you to all of the advocates and community members who helped make these advancements in affordable housing possible! The thousands of phone calls, emails, and visits to the Capitol made the difference last session and fueled the work to ensure every Minnesotan has a safe place to call home. We will again look to your help in the 2015 legislative session to advocate for investments in services and affordable housing that build a foundation of safety, stability, and health.
Read more about the bonding awards:
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Report on Homelessness in America: Numbers Released from January Point-in-Time Count
The 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress was recently released. The AHAR tracks progress towards ending homelessness across the country using the point in time (PIT) counts that take place each year in January.
"We have much more to do to #endhomelessness. Our progress should embolden all of us to accelerate our efforts."
- Laura Zeilinger, USICH Executive Director, on Twitter 10/30
The new report shows an estimated 578,424 people experienced homelessness on a single day in 2014. One-third of the population was unsheltered on the day of the study in January, although the number of unsheltered people generally decreased since last year. Some highlights from the report include: - More individuals than families were counted-63% percent of people counted were experiencing homelessness as an individual, and 37% were people in families.
- Chronic homelessness (among individuals) showed a decrease similar to the overall rate but showed even more progress over the long-term-a decrease of 30% between 2007 and 2014. Most (63%) of the chronic homeless individuals in the 2014 count were unsheltered.
- Approximately 50,000 veterans were included in the homelessness count. Homelessness among veterans decreased 11% since last year's report, and by 33% since 2010.
- Smaller cities, counties, and regional Continuums of Care saw more significant decreases in the number of sheltered and especially with unsheltered populations, compared to major cities.
More than 8,300 people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota were included in the January PIT count. Minnesota was highlighted both for its steps and challenges by the numbers: - Minnesota had one of the largest increases in homelessness from 2007 to 2014: 14%, or about 1,000 people.
- The Southwest Minnesota Continuum of Care had one of the lowest rates of unsheltered homeless populations; none of the 180 people counted on that day were unsheltered. Moorhead/West Central Minnesota Continuum of Care also did not count any families experiencing homelessness who were unsheltered.
- Minneapolis/Hennepin County counted over 2,000 families experiencing homelessness, one of the largest numbers for major city Continuums of Care.
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National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Is Coming Up National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week occurs annually on the week before Thanksgiving. This week is a special time to promote understanding of hunger and homelessness through events, social media, and other avenues. National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 15-23 this year. Check out some events, see a great example of an initiative in southern MN, and consider your own ways of engaging others in a conversation about hunger and homelessness in your community. Twitter hashtag: #NHHAW |
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Election Results In Minnesota
The midterm elections brought about some changes in Minnesota's political landscape. While Governor Dayton and U.S. Senator Al Franken were elected to second terms, Republicans regained control of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Twenty-six members of the Minnesota House are newly elected.
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Hearth Connection is Hiring! Open Position for a Data Entry Specialist
Hearth Connection is looking for a part-time Data Entry Specialist to join our team. Using Hearth Connection's database as well as the state Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), this position will be responsible for performing data entry, running reports, and ensuring accuracy of data. The Data Entry Specialist will work with the Director of Quality and Evaluation and other departments to complete tasks. This position offers flexible onsite hours and other benefits.
The full position description is available here. Please forward this opportunity to people in your network who may be interested in the position.
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Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Charlie Cook
Hearth Connection
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