Hennepin County leaders say they have "effectively ended" veteran homelessness

A major announcement made in Hennepin County Tuesday. County leaders are saying that they have effectively ended veteran homelessness.

Data shows veterans are overcoming homelessness at a higher rate than veterans going into the homelessness system.  Hennepin County senior social worker Tayuh Kaufenberg says the announcement brings hope for those who sacrificed so much.

"Many of the veterans I've worked with have lost hope, and to me that is one of the saddest things to experience," says Kaufenberg. "Today, we bring hope to all veterans who are going through the unimaginable experience of homelessness. Today, we have a system that works for the people who need it and deserve it the most."

Hennepin County Veterans Services Director Neil Doyle says veteran homelessness will be a constant battle moving forward however.

"We are only pausing for a moment to acknowledge this key milestone," Doyle said. "We recognize that there is continuous work ahead of us because even one veteran without housing is one too many."

Governor Tim Walz announced in November 2021 that 13 central Minnesota counties had effectively ended veteran homelessness. The Central Minnesota Continuum of Care includes Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright counties.

In a proclamation read Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Governor Walz declared the day as Veterans Homelessness Prevention and Awareness Day.

"Hennepin County is one of the largest us local government entities to end veteran homelessness," says Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando. "And we are the largest Minnesota entity to reach this milestone."