School to Housing program hits one year mark

Hennepin County’s School to Housing program centers around one simple but powerful idea: School staff might have some of the best insights into which students—and their families—need extra support.

Launched about a year ago, the program connects homeless and highly mobile families with school-aged children to county housing navigators. So far, School to Housing has served 455 families with services and rental assistance, with nearly $2 million going directly to support rent.

Although schools in Hennepin County were already identifying families that were highly mobile, they told county staff that they simply didn’t have the resources to provide comprehensive stabilizing housing services themselves. With the School to Housing program, schools now act as the conduit, identifying families and then referring them out for supports.

“We are focused on the prevention side,” said Lauren Ryan, Principal Planning Analyst for Housing Stability at the county. “We want to identify the families who are at-risk. We know that 55%-75% of homeless families are doubled-up, meaning they live with other families. School to Housing is unique in supporting this population, which helps to prevent families from entering the shelter system.”

Big numbers, personal impact

In Hennepin County alone, during the last school year 3,768 students were identified as homeless and highly mobile, 55% of whom were students of color. The majority of live unsheltered, in transitional housing, or in motels. While the School to Housing program has helped 455 families in the past year get access to housing resources, there’s still much more work to be done.

Yet for Ryan, the personal stories are what keeps her and her team motivated.

“There’s one family who was struggling to find housing, and they finally did with the help of a different county program,” said Ryan. “Then the School to Housing program jumped in to help with the deposit and first month’s rent. Sadly, the mom became sick with cancer, and their tight budget become even tighter. Our program continues to support them so that the kids can remain in school.”

This family’s story highlights the often complex and difficult hurdles families go through to stay housed, and the team of people and resources needed to help. School to Housing is one important piece of that puzzle and can make the difference between having housing or losing it.

“As a parent,” said Ryan. “I’m in awe of the work and energy it takes to keep their families in stable housing. No one should have to go through that.”

School to Housing is for families in the Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Richfield, Robbinsdale, and Intermediate 287 school districts who are at risk of losing their housing. Stable Homes, Stable Schools serves families in the Minneapolis school district, and Homework starts with Home serves families in Brooklyn Center and Osseo. The county used those two programs as guide when creating School to Housing.

To learn more and get connected, please visit our Homelessness and housing resources page, or reach out directly by emailing school.to.housing@hennepin.us.