For the first time since 2006, homelessness in Minnesota is down, according to initial findings from Wilder Research's statewide study of homelessness. The most recent one-day study was conducted on October 22, 2015. Key findings from the counts include:

• Despite decreases in numbers, children and youth continue to make up over half of the homeless population.
• The rate of increase of homeless older adults mirrored the rate of increase of Minnesota's older adult population.
• 9,312 understates the total number of people who are homeless in Minnesota.

Detailed data on the background and characteristics of homeless people will be available in May. 

 

Read more about the initial findings on the new homeless website

The once-every-four-years politics as circus has revved up in spring 2016, with the media sometimes more focused on topics like Hillary's email indiscretions and Donald's portrayal of Ted's wife than on the issues of substance that we as voters should seriously ponder. The who certainly has a lot of importance at all levels of government. But, in the long term, the how has significant importance as well. How do we determine the best course of action for a city, a state, a nation?
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Please join us in welcoming Ellen Wolter to Wilder Research, where she works as a research scientist for Minnesota Compass. Ellen comes to Wilder from the University of Minnesota's Office of Community Engagement for Health.
 

Our researchers are a creative bunch. In case you missed it over on Facebook, several staff competed in the first Wilder Research Peeps Diorama Contest. The winner was the Spoon Bridge and Cherry theme. 

Check out the Facebook gallery

Recent reports highlight promising practices and lessons learned from organizations funded by this initiative of the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota: