America can end homelessness, and Hennepin County is proving it’s possible. While cities across the nation face rising homelessness, Hennepin County, Minnesota, offers a powerful example by building a community-wide system that prioritizes people, not punishment. From preventing evictions to providing supportive housing, Hennepin leads the way, showing that coordinated, compassionate efforts can solve homelessness.
This video dives deep into Hennepin County’s approach to tackling homelessness at every level. You’ll hear stories like Daryl’s, who avoided homelessness through eviction prevention, and others who’ve found stability after years on the streets. Hennepin’s strategy integrates housing with a full system of services, proving that with the right resources, homelessness can be prevented and ended.
As a follow-up to our popular video Finland Solved Homelessness: Here’s How (Spoiler: It’s More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE , this video shifts focus to U.S. communities like Hennepin that are preventing and solving homelessness. Hennepin County shows that by addressing eviction prevention, affordable housing, mental health services, and job support together, we can reduce homelessness on a large scale.
The video also addresses the often-overlooked issue of Indigenous homelessness. In Minnesota, where Native communities are disproportionately affected, American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) offers culturally sensitive services tailored to their unique needs.
Hennepin’s model is not about just one solution—it’s about everything working together. Their system includes legal representation, outreach in homeless encampments, housing case management, and shelters that offer dignity and pathways to permanent housing. Hennepin County isn't just warehousing people—they’re investing in long-term, sustainable solutions like transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing.
In a country where criminalizing homelessness is becoming the norm, Hennepin offers a more humane and effective alternative. They’ve seen a 57% increase in people exiting homelessness into permanent housing over two years, proving that this comprehensive, people-first approach works.
The cost? Far less than the burden of criminalization. Hennepin County shows that investing in housing and support saves both money and lives. By the end of this video, you’ll see how their model of prevention and support is not only working but thriving. The solution doesn’t lie in more shelters or punitive laws—it’s about building systems that prevent homelessness and help people rebuild their lives.
Hennepin County offers a blueprint for other communities to follow. Will yours be next?
A heartfelt thank you to Hennepin County, the nonprofits, and everyone who graciously shared their stories, allowing us to help amplify their voices in the effort to prevent and solve homelessness.
00:00 Introduction (Jerel's Story)
03:13 Eviction Prevention (Brian's Story)
08:59 Affordable Housing
11:18 Lived Experience
12:49 Shelters
15:28 Outreach
19:05 Indigenous Homelessness (Robert's Story)
22:46 Low-Barrier Shelter
26:19 Housing + Services
28:15 Supportive Housing (Jerold's Story)
31:25 Repurposed Hotels (Sheila and Dion)
34:23 Affordable Housing (Scott's Story)
37:32 Repurposed Church
38:40 NIMBYs
39:27 Rapid Re-housing (Melissa's Story)
40:48 Conclusion
Executive producer: Mark Horvath
Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / https://www.youtube.com/alexgasaway
More stories:
Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) https://youtu.be/0jt_6PBnCJE?si=cQs4kuEoUBQXg530
From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless https://youtu.be/0hkkGH_QADA?si=bEU1o5T77sZgBbpN
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Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.