Hennepin County, state working to offer more spaces for people experiencing homelessness

Hennepin County is working with partners from the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota to encourage people experiencing homelessness to seek shelter during the winter months.

According to a release from the county, a coalition of government agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, are operating “the largest and safest emergency shelter system that has ever existed in Hennepin County.”

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The county said it is currently seeing beds in some emergency shelters go unused each night, with around 200 vacancies in board and lodge facilities.

The release also said the county is working with partners to open at least seven sites that provide shelter and low-barrier housing options.

The county said while emergency shelters may not fit the needs of every person experiencing homelessness, it is committed to working directly with individuals to find “the best solutions available.”

To date, 1,300 people experiencing homelessness have found permanent housing, according to Hennepin County.