Governor Walz Declares End to Veteran Homelessness in Southeast Minnesota

Statement

On Thursday, July 18, Governor Tim Walz joined the River Valleys Continuum of Care (CoC) to announce the effective end of veteran homelessness in Southeast Minnesota, as determined by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This makes the River Valleys CoC the fifth of ten jurisdictions in the state of Minnesota to do so.

"I am incredibly proud that Minnesota is on the way to becoming the fourth state in the country to eliminate veterans homelessness," said Governor Tim Walz."Our veterans and their families face unique challenges that sometimes last long after their service is done. Because of the work of River Valleys Continuum of Care and other advocates in Minnesota, we have systems in place to address those underlying challenges and ensure our veterans have a place to call home."

"Today's announcement demonstrates that ending veteran homelessness is achievable when there is a plan and strong partnerships," said MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. "Together we can change lives and bring our veterans "all the way home.'"

"Your leadership -- and that of your colleagues throughout the region -- has been instrumental as we work together to ensure that every veteran in our country has a home," said Matthew Doherty, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

"I am honored to be here today, knowing that we are joining three other states and 73 communities in effectively ending veterans' homelessness," said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho at the Thursday morning celebration. "The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has a proven formula and I'm excited here in Minnesota we have done this in five regions; five regions to go."

"Reaching this milestone for veterans experiencing homelessness is a critical and exciting step toward ending all homelessness in our region," said Jennifer Prins, coordinator of the Rivers Valleys Continuum of Care. "Ending veteran homelessness does not mean that another Veteran will never experience homelessness in southern Minnesota. Instead, it means that we are able and ready to respond quickly, so that we can make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. And our region has an amazing team of partners committed to doing that!"

The River Valleys CoC consists of 20 Minnesota counties (Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona) and the Prairie Island Indian Community. The West Central, Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast CoCs previously declared an end to veteran homelessness in 2017 and 2018. The remaining five CoCs around the state continue to work toward the same goal.

The progress demonstrated through this announcement is the direct result of joint efforts across the state. The River Valleys CoC is comprised of a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), Minnesota Housing (MHFA), the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS), County Veterans Service Officers, emergency shelters and a number of private, public and non-profit organizations.

To remain at functional zero, the River Valleys CoC now has the infrastructure and systems in place to ensure that any veteran experiencing homelessness in the region will get the support they need to quickly obtain a permanent home.

Since December 2014, efforts across the state have resulted in housing 1,813 previously homeless veterans. Minnesota's unique statewide Homeless Veterans Registry creates individual housing plans based on each veteran's unique challenges and situation and is largely credited as the key to Minnesota's success. Once on the Registry, veterans experiencing homelessness are typically housed within four months.

As of July 8, the Registry lists 216 veterans who are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. Research demonstrates that the most lasting solutions are personalized for each individual or family on a veteran-by-veteran basis.

Anyone who knows of a veteran experiencing homelessness can connect them with services by calling 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838).

About the River Valleys Continuum of Care

The River Valleys Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning body of representative stakeholders designed to promote a shared commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. It includes: gathering and analyzing information to determine the local needs of people experiencing homelessness, implementing strategic plans to end homelessness; measuring program and system performance; assuring coordination and easy access to the homeless response system; and setting local funding preferences for HUD CoC grants.

About MDVA

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.

About MN Housing

Minnesota Housing collaborates with individuals, communities, and partners to create, preserve, and finance affordable housing. Find out more at www.mnhousing.gov. Follow us at www.facebook.com/minnesotahousing and on Twitter @mnhousing.

About Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS)

Minneapolis VA Health Care System (VAHCS) is a teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.

About MAVC

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across the state of Minnesota for over 25 years. Our mission is to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota by providing housing, employment and legal services. We accomplish our mission by providing these services directly and in collaboration with community partners.

Permalink: http://mn.gov/governor/news/index.jsp?id=1055-393402

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