Emergency programs

When Hennepin County residents are in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety, the county may be able to help by providing short-term aid.

Services may include:

Emergency temporary shelter
Housing costs like rent payments, damage deposits, home repairs and utility bills
Foreclosure prevention, moving expenses and transportation to relocate
Extra food support for people on special diets

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Homeless shelter information

Find Emergency Shelter

If you’re fleeing domestic violence

If you’re fleeing domestic violence, have been sexually assaulted or exploited, and/or trafficked, call or text Day One Services to be connected to the closest available domestic violence shelter. Advocates are available 24/7.

Call 866-223-1111
Text 612-399-9995

If you’re in immediate danger, please call 911.

Visit Day One

Hennepin Shelter Hotline

Call 612-204-8200

Hennepin Shelter Hotline serves Hennepin County residents who are seeking emergency shelter by helping them find a safe, temporary place to stay while they work on next steps toward stable housing.

A person or family should contact Hennepin Shelter Hotline if:

They are 18 years or older
They are seeking emergency shelter

Hotline hours:

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

**callers outside of these hours will be directed to United Way's 2-1-1

Learn more about Hennepin County's contracted shelters (PDF)

Youth programs

The Youth Services Network helps young people (24 years and younger) find a safe, temporary place to stay. This website shows shelter availability for youth shelters in the Metro.

A person should visit the Youth Services Network website if:

They are 24 years or younger
They don’t have a safe place to sleep tonight

Click More Details for eligibility and contact information. It’s recommended that young people call to check availability before showing up.

Visit Youth Service Network shelters

Apply for emergency short-term help

To apply for assistance, fill out an online application or print the combined application form and mail it back to: Hennepin County Human Services Department, P.O. Box 107, Minneapolis, MN 55440

You may also call 612-596-1300 to have a form mailed to you.

If you need assistance with completing an application, call 612-596-1300, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Please be aware that your benefits will not start until your paperwork is received and processed. A phone interview is required.

If you don’t qualify for emergency short-term help from the county

If you meet all the criteria, you may be able to get rent help. You must be:

Renting a home in Hennepin County or be staying in someone else's home
In danger of losing your home within 30 days
Living with income less than $2,175 per month for a single person or $3,104 per month for a family of four

Resources

Agate

Families with children that are minors.

612-874-0311
Agate

CLUES - Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio

Latino families, youth or single adults.

612-746-3500
CLUES

Community meditation and restorative services

Families with minor children or single adults.

763-561-0033
Community meditation and restorative services

Isuroon

East African families or single adults.

612-886-2731
Isuroon

Lutheran social services

Families or singles over 25.

651-642-5990
Lutheran social services

Minnesota Indian women's resource center

Native American / Indian families or single adults.

612-728-2000
Minnesota Indian women's resource center

Tenant resource center

People with a court hearing scheduled.

YMCA

Families or singles under 25.

763-493-3052
YMCA

Youthlink

Families or singles under 25.

612-252-1200
Youthlink

You have the right to appeal

If you don't agree with an action taken on your case, you have the right to appeal.

File an appeal

There are several options to file.

Submit a handwritten request to appeal or use the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to Hennepin County:

Mail
Hennepin County Human Services Department
PO Box 107
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Fax: 612-288-2981
Upload to your account: mnbenefits.mn.gov
Drop off: Any Hennepin County Human Service Center drop box

Submit the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Submission instructions on the form.

Timelines

Emergency assistance (with minors in the household)

Emergency general assistance (without minors in the household)

You must request the appeal hearing within 30 days of receiving a notice of proposed action, or show good cause for not requesting within that time. You may file an appeal up to 90 days after receiving the notice of proposed action if you show good cause for not filing within 30 days. An emergency general assistance application is only good for 30 days, if the appeal request is longer than 30 days ago, it is recommended you re-apply for the program.

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