Minn. Declares Functional End to Veteran Homelessness

As Veterans Day approaches, Minnesota has a milestone worth celebrating. The state is now one of only four in the nation to achieve a functional end to veteran homelessness. The other states are Connecticut, Delaware and Virginia.

Local 801’s Dr. Jo Cross, a homeless program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is quick to point out, “This means when veterans here experience homelessness, it will be rare, brief and non-recurring. Any Minnesota veteran who becomes homeless is quickly identified and provided with services and permanent housing in a short time.”

Nora Cronin, a senior homeless program coordinator with MDVA and a member of Local 801, said the state has been monitoring functionality benchmarks since last summer. “The work is not over. The analogy we use a lot is emergency rooms. A patient comes to the ER for help – it doesn’t mean the ER closes once the person has been helped.”

Cronin, Cross and their MDVA colleagues have helped make that achievement possible through the state's innovative Homeless Veteran Registry and coordinated housing system. Since 2019, Minnesota has helped more than 5,000 veterans avoid homelessness.

Cross, an Army veteran and West Point graduate who once experienced homelessness, said the work is personal. "I am a veteran who has been homeless, and I want other veterans to know this program is here for them. It is so helpful after you connect with our staff."

Cronin says Minnesota's success is drawing national attention. "When we go to national conferences, Minnesota is considered very innovative in the programs we offer veterans," she said. "The collaboration we have with federal partners, state agencies, nonprofits and local governments is not something every state can claim."

Other states are now looking to Minnesota's Homeless Veteran Registry as a model.

"We've been in discussions with several states about replicating what we've built here," Cronin said.

“We are really proud of the programs because we want to serve veterans who have served. They showed up and served, and we need to respond to their needs of homelessness and housing instability,” she added.   

While both members are proud of the accomplishment, they stress the work continues.

The State response system is coordinated in 10 Continuums of Care based on geographic locations: West Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, Suburban Metro Area, Central, Hennepin County, Ramsey County and St. Louis County. 

With the final certification of Ramsey County a few weeks ago, all 10 of Minnesota’s Continuum of Care (COC) regions – covering all 87 counties – have demonstrated an effective end to veteran homelessness.

"The work is not over," Cross said. "What we've built is a system that responds quickly when a veteran needs help."

Anyone who knows of a homeless Veteran is encouraged to call 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838). Veterans can choose to join directly and anyone can refer a veteran to join by completing the release of information form. You may also support the Minnesota Veterans Assistance Council for Veterans or your local county services.