accomplishments
City of Minneapolis/Hennepin County

MINNEAPOLIS/HENNEPIN COUNTY
PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT
OCTOBER 1, 2007

SUMMARY OF POPULATION SERVED
The Minneapolis/Hennepin County Project Homeless Connect in October 2007 served 1,780 individuals, a 46 percent increase over the total attendance in 2006 of 1,218 individuals. The average guest served at both events is an African-American male who is 40 years of age and has experienced several episodes of homelessness without meeting the definition for long-term homeless. Despite this similarity, there are some differences found between the two events. At the October 2007 event there was a greater proportion of families with dependent children in attendance, there were fewer single females, and there was an increased proportion of American Indian guests. In addition, the October 2007 event drew a smaller number of veterans and a slightly smaller number of people with a disability.

Overall the demographics are as follows:

Total number of people served: 1,780
Head of Household and Single persons served: 1,476
Average age is 41years old (48 years for males and 37 years for females)

Race:
African American 49%
White 23%
American Indian 15%
Asian, Pacific Islander - both under 1%
Other multi-racial 4%
Other/missing 8%

Gender:
Male 59%
Female 36%
Transgender - less than 1%
Missing 5%

Veteran status
Yes 10%
No 78%
Refused 2%
Missing 10%

Homeless status
First time homeless 27%
Multiple times homeless 12%
Long-term homeless 21%
Not currently homeless 30%
Missing/refused 10%

Guests were asked to complete an exit survey as the left the event. Of the 1,543 surveys collected, less than one percent reported that Project Homeless Connect was not worth their time, citing long lines as the main reason.

SUMMARY OF SERVICES PROVIDED
Project Homeless Connect offered an incredibly wide arrange of services and resources for people who were experiencing homelessness. Everything from housing counseling to job applications to flu shots to haircuts were available onsite for anyone who needed help. Some of the highlights of the services included:

• 136 people received a free health assessment followed by onsite healthcare services targeted at addressing their unique health needs, including dental assessments, prescription medicines, immunizations, assessments for traumatic brain injury, and non-prescription medications and medical supplies.
• 252 households received a free housing triage consultation which included an assessment of their housing needs and immediate referral to the appropriate organization or housing provider.
• 1 person was able to obtain housing on the day of the event
• 75 people received a free voicemail number, enabling them to better search for housing and employment and to stay connected to family.
• 142 adults and children were enrolled in educational programs such as General Education classes and Head Start.
• 16 people received vouchers to pay for their GED exam.
• 161 people received free legal consultation. 63 percent of the questions involved civil law matters, half of which were related to housing, public benefits and family law. 37 percent involved criminal law matters, two-thirds of which involved inquiries about the expungement of criminal records which were keeping individuals from housing and employment.
• 165 people were helped with obtaining an ID to help them access housing, employment and benefits.
• 30 youth were able to get counseling that day.
• 61 people got help with applying for SSI disability benefits.

An outline of all the services provided is shown below.

HEALTH CARE
On-site medical and dental care was provided by Healthcare for the Homeless and Appletree Dental, with substantial help from The College of St Catherine’s.
148 people completed a health intake
76 medical visits were provided (19 with an MD, 34 with a Nurse Practitioner, and 23 with a Public Health Nurse)
60 dental assessments were given
32 prescriptions were provided
14 non-prescription medications and medical supplies were given
4 people received a metabolic syndrome/diabetes screening
4 people received help with their asthma
20 people received foot care
13 immunizations or flu shots were provided
20 TBI assessments were given
6 people received STD or pregnancy testing
2 people received a stroke evaluation
37 mental health/chemical dependency screenings were provided by Hennepin County Medical Center and COPE.
21 people received harm reduction services through Access Works/TC Hope.
87 safe sex kits were provided by Turning Point and MDWST Healthcare for Women.
110 people received blood pressure checks Hennepin County Medical Center.
100 blood glucose checks were given by Hennepin County Medical Center.
1 appointment was made with MDWST Healthcare for Women.
286 sets of information or referrals were given by Hennepin County Medical Center, COPE, Access Works/TC Hope, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, NIP Community Clinic, Turning Point, and Healthcare for the Homeless.
Total Health Care Services: 1,041

HOUSING
252 households completed housing triage (72 families, 5 youth and 175 singles)
1 person obtained housing from St. Stephen’s
23 households were placed on a waiting list for housing for Ascension Place, Community Involvement Program, Exodus Residence, and St. Stephen’s.
122 housing applications or intakes were given and/or completed for Ascension Place, Cabrini Partnership, Minneapolis Public Housing, Our Savior Housing, Vail Place, Community Involvement Program, and Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin.
Over 403 sets of referrals or information were given by Simpson Housing, HousingLink, Vail Place, Community Involvement Program, Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin, Exodus Residence, St. Stephen’s, the COHR team, and Turning Point.
Total Housing Services: 801

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
5 library cards were provided by the Minneapolis Library.
75 people received a voicemail number through Twin Cities Community Voicemail.
475 pairs of shoes were provided by Basilica of St. Mary.
235 sets of information or referral were given by Community Action of Minneapolis, Park House, Amicus, the Minneapolis Library, the Native American Community Clinic, and the Metro Area Agency on Aging.
Total Community Resource Services: 790

EDUCATION
142 adults and children were enrolled in educational programs by Minneapolis Transitions Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools, and Parents in Community Action, Minneapolis Public Schools—ABE.
16 people received GED vouchers through Minneapolis Transitions Schools.
217 sets of information or referrals were given by Minneapolis Literary Council, Minneapolis Public Schools—Early Childhood Family Education, Minneapolis Transitions School, Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools—Safe and Drug-free Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools—Out4Good, Minneapolis Public Schools—ABE, and Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps.
Total Education Services: 375

LEGAL SERVICES
101 people were helped with questions regarding civil law matters including housing, public benefits, family law, bankruptcy, personal injury, employment, immigration and consumer matters
60 people were help with questions regarding criminal law matters including criminal record expungement.
Over 50 referrals for additional legal services were given
Total Legal Services: 211

EMPLOYMENT
45 job applications were completed with Easter Seals and REI
42 people received job skills training from Easter Seals
90 people received information on jobs from Hilton Company
Total Employment Services: 177

ID’S
10 birth certificate vouchers and 35 applications were provided by the Alliance of the Streets.
45 Social Security cards were renewed by Metro Area Agency on Aging.
110 driver’s license/ID vouchers and 137 sets of information were given by the Department of Public Safety.
Total ID Services: 165

YOUTH SERVICES
30 counseling sessions were given by The Bridge.
135 sets of information or referrals related to benefits, housing, education, emergency shelter, life skills, ID’s, mental health and case management were given by YouthLink/Kulture Klub, Freeport West, Avenues, and The Bridge.
Total Youth Services: 165

BENEFITS
69 sets of information or referrals for veterans services were given by the VA Medical Center and Hennepin County VETS.
61 people received help with Social Security Benefits by Chamberlin Edmonds, Outreach Services, and Salvation Army SSI Outreach.
25 applications for energy assistance were given by Community Action of Minneapolis.
Total Benefits Services: 155

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES
115 sets of information or referrals were given by 348-Tots/Follow Along Program and Child-Teen Check-Up.
Total Children and Families Services: 115

December 2006 | On the day of the event

People attending Project Homeless Connect reported their service needs as follows:

• Housing (60%)
• Employment (44%)
• Dental care (31%)
• Eye care (24%)
• Haircut (22%)
• All other services received responses under 16%

Housing:

• Over 900 housing referrals were given
• 117 people received information on emergency shelters
• 157 housing applications were submitted
• 6 people were placed into housing on the day of the event

Medical:

• 221 people received primary and specialized care procedures
• 56 people were seen by an eye care professional and 52 received free eyeglasses
• 42 people were seen by a dentist who performed root canals, extractions, and restorations
• 55 people received necessary medications
• 26 people received massages
• 7 people received flu shots

Legal:

• Over 90 people received legal services including expungements and warrant checks

Education and Employment:

• 42 people received Community College admissions financial aid information
• 21 people received free GED vouchers
• 375 employment contacts made

Advocacy

• 12 applications for SSDI were completed, 20 replacement Social Security cards were requested, and over 70 people inquired about the status of a claim
• 36 Veteran specific service contacts were made
• 124 people received vouchers for free state IDs
• Over 100 youth specific service contacts were made

Community Services:

• 443 people received shoes
• 71 clothing vouchers were distributed
• 62 voicemail boxes were set up
• 9 people signed up for new e-mail accounts
• 78 people signed up for library cards
• 145 families received gifts from Toys for Tots
• 48 children received free child care
• Over 1200 ten dollar bus cards were distributed
• Well over 300 haircuts were given
• Over 1500 meals were provided
• Over 1000 cups of Starbucks coffee was served

Consumer feedback:
We received a total of 878 consumer feedback surveys at the end of the day. 877 of 878 people stated that it was worth their time to come to the event. Similarly, 97% stated that they learned about new services on the day of the event. When asked the “most important thing you received today”, the responses were, in order; bus cards, medical care, food, housing assistance, employment assistance, and haircuts.

Service Providers:
Housing:
Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, HousingLink, Community Action Partnership for Suburban Hennepin County, Spectrum Homeless Project, Ascension Place, Catholic Charities, St. Stephens Human Services, Cabrini Partnership, Tasks Unlimited, Simpson Housing Services, Salvation Army Hope Harbor, Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, Our Saviours Housing, Community Involvement Program

Health care:
Hennepin County Health Care for the Homeless, Lens Crafters, ADT Dental

Mental/ Chemical Health:
Hennepin County Mental Health Center, Hennepin County COPE, Hennepin County Behavioral Health Rule 25 Assessors, Hart Community Services, ACCESS WORKS!, Alcoholics Anonymous, Vail Place, Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, Turning Point, Brain Injury Association of MN, Mental Health Association of MN

Employment:
People Serving People, St Stephens Human Services, Catholic Charities Branch III, Goodwill Easter Seals, At Home Group, Minneapolis Employment and Training, Twin Cities Community Voice Mail, Mall of America Employment Services, Industrial Staffing

Education:
Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis Public Schools Contract Alternatives, Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minneapolis Public Library

Benefits:
Social Security Administration, Chamberlin-Edmunds, Salvation Army Social Security Outreach Program, Hennepin County Eligibility Supports, Hennepin County Child Support, Alliance for the Streets, Driver and Vehicle Services, Metro Area Agency on Aging

Child Development:
Minneapolis Public Schools, Parents in Community Action, Hennepin County Child and Teen Checkups

Veterans services:
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Hennepin County Veterans Service

Youth:
Minneapolis Employment and Training, Hope Street Shelter, YouthLink, Freeport west/Project Solo, StreetWorks, Kulture Klub, Seen on da Streets, Face To Face – SafeZone, HHH Job Corp, Genesis II for Families, District 202, The Bridge for Runaway Youth, Avenues for Youth

Legal Services:
Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, Central Minnesota Legal Services, Fagre and Benson, Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office, Council on Crime and Justice

Community Services:
Basilica of St Mary, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church Dignity Center, Catholic, Charities Counseling Division, Homeless against Homelessness, Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders, AMICUS “Reconnect”

Other Services:
Project Homeless Connect also had two massage therapists, Distributed toys through Toys For Tots, and provided haircuts through community volunteers.

March 6, 2006 | On the day of the event:

A number of critical services were made available at Project Homeless Connect on March 6, 2006

• 157 people received immediate medical care - services included wound care, prescriptions for medications, and foot care because of frostbite
• 305 people received housing information
• 4 families and 3 individuals were placed into permanent housing
• 13 individuals received assistance applying for housing, were identified as eligible and have been placed on the Minneapolis Public Housing List
• 58 individuals received assistance obtaining benefits, following up on application status and/or advocacy regarding denied applications
• 200 received employment assistance information and follow up appointments regarding job readiness training and employment programs
• 20 received immediate job placements with employers including the Mall of America, Xcel Energy Center, and Industrial Staffing with average wages of $9-10.
• 77 individuals received legal consultation regarding child support, housing, income/benefits, etc.
• 258 vouchers for shoes were distributed
• 43 new voice mail numbers were established so that individuals can receive messages about work, housing, etc.
• 12 received free eye exams
• 29 received veterans services (housing, benefits,etc)
• 20 received dental services referrals
• 75 plus youth received information about housing, supportive services, etc.
• 65 individuals received mental health services and/or counseling
• 25 families received services regarding child support, Birth to 5 screenings, GED classes, etc.
• 1200+ hot lunches were served by Kelber Catering
• 1500 sack dinners were prepared and distributed as additional meals for individuals and families
• 1200 cups of Starbucks coffee served
• 150 free hair cuts were received
• 100 phone cards donated from Qwest
• 1000 gift cards donated from Target
• 6 bikes donated by Sibley Bike Company

Project Homeless Connect Highlights

Housing

• 13 individuals received assistance applying for housing, were identified as eligible and have been placed on the Minneapolis Public Housing List
• 2 individuals were placed in Catholic Charities RSH housing on March 7th 2006
• 4 families were placed in Community Action for Suburban Hennepin housing and will receive rental assistance for 1 year with case management services
• 1 individual received a shelter verification needed to complete his pending process to obtain a supportive housing unit
• 1 individual applied for housing with the Minnesota Veterans Home-Hastings and has since been placed in housing

Benefits | Income | Employment

• 20 individuals were immediately placed into jobs with employers including the Mall of America, Xcel Energy Center, and Industrial Staffing
• 1 individual was accepted as a student of the People Serving People Kitchen Training Program
• 1 individuals completed a recertification interview and MSA application and is being processed
• 5 individuals applied for and were approved for Food Stamps/General Assistance benefits

Health and Wellness

• 1 individual was assessed by the Hennepin County Medical Center Crisis Team to be suicidal and was admitted voluntarily to HCMC. Since then, the individual was placed into housing and is receiving support services
• 7 individuals were served by Hart Community Services regarding brain injury assessments

These results are promising and point to fact that by collaborating we can more effectively and efficiently deliver the kinds of services that people need. Follow-up calls with providers have revealed that many more connections have happened for the guests since the event, including more placements into housing, additional medical care, and many additional referrals.

The exit surveys filled out by the guests showed overwhelming support for the event. Of the 753 surveys completed, only one survey response stated that they would not be back. Surveys done by providers showed similar satisfaction, with 97% saying the event was a valuable opportunity for the participants, and 99% saying they would like to participate in future events.

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