Let’s explore what solutions look like.
A new regional system for the Twin Cities can redefine how we establish and offer prevention in Minnesota. Here’s how:
Develop a regional homelessness prevention structure that supports services at a seven county metro level.
A regional system will eliminate jurisdictional competition for resources. This can ensure everyone across the metro has access to the same resources. It also decreases potential for service access roadblocks and inconsistencies.
Support regional system autonomy with its own dedicated resources and self governing structure.
State resources and federal prevention resources can be directly allocated to the regional entity rather than filtered through any state or county agency. A new collaborative and inclusive governance structure for a regional prevention system ensures representation from all partners across the Twin Cities seven county metro area involved in the homelessness system.
Who is included in the new decision-making structure?
Government - representation from Twin Cities county and city governments.
Non profits - representation from community organizations providing prevention services and advocacy.
Philanthropy - representation from philanthropic partners, including the Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative.
Lived Experience - equal representation from community members with lived experience of homelessness in the Twin Cities.
Lived Experience representatives are elected by people without stable housing in the Twin Cities.