Hennepin County effectively ends veteran homelessness

Hennepin County and our partners are housing and helping veterans overcome homelessness at a higher rate than veterans are coming into the homelessness system.

As a result, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have certified that we are meeting their benchmarks for effectively ending homelessness among veterans in Minnesota’s largest county.

We announced this milestone at a press conference at the Hennepin County Government Center. Joining us in celebration were Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S Senator Tina Smith, along with veterans, Hennepin County Commissioners, leaders, employees and partners.

Our response

Hennepin County has systems in place for making homelessness among veterans, rare, brief and nonrecurring. These systems are managed by dedicated employees, many of whom are veterans themselves, family members or allies, who share a passion and calling to serve those who have served.

Effectively ending veteran homelessness does not mean veterans do not experience homelessness, but when veterans do experience homelessness, our system is prepared to quickly respond and move people back into permanent housing in less than 90 days on average. 

Working in partnership with veterans

“We approach veteran homelessness from many angles,” said Neil Doyle, director of Hennepin County Veterans Services.

Hennepin County’s veteran homelessness response system quickly identifies and engages veterans experiencing homelessness and connects them with housing and resources to help them stay housed.

Taya Kaufenberg is a senior social worker in Housing Stability who works with veterans experiencing homelessness—and is a Coast Guard veteran. “Homelessness is personal,” Kaufenberg said. “It is personal to the veteran going through it and to every one of us working within the system to make a difference in the lives of our veterans.”

Her work has taken her across the county to serve her fellow veterans. “I have met veterans holding signs at stop lights,” said Kaufenberg. “I have met veterans living in tents at encampments. Once, I pulled a veteran out of a frozen, snow-filled ditch in the middle of winter and took them to a shelter.”

It can be challenging and tough at times, but also rewarding.

Kaufenberg has partnered with numerous veterans over the years, including Alyssa Koeppen, a 13-year Navy veteran. Hear from Koeppen about her journey to permanent housing.

Alyssa Koeppen is a Navy veteran who has recently found permanent housing in Hennepin County.

Going forward

Hennepin County is taking what we have learned from our work with veterans experiencing homelessness and applying these lessons elsewhere in the homeless response system.

The announcement doesn’t mark an end to this critical work with veterans. We recognize there is continuous work ahead of us, because even one veteran without housing is one too many.

We will continue to invest, develop, implement and partner on this important work so any veteran experiencing or at risk of homelessness gets the resources they need to maintain or attain housing.

“Our veterans helped defend our nation, and it’s an honor and privilege to be part of an amazing network that helps them once they are home,” said Doyle.

Support for veterans in Hennepin County

• The Hennepin Shelter Hotline serves all Hennepin County residents seeking emergency shelter by helping them find a safe, temporary place to stay while they work on next steps toward stable housing.
• Hennepin Shelter Hotline: 612-204-8200
• Hennepin County Veteran Services helps service members and veterans access their federal, state and county benefits.
• Veterans Services: 612-348-3300