One out of five children in Minneapolis have experienced homelessness or threats of eviction. Housing insecurity can have a profound and multifaceted impact on children, affecting their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. As a long-term impact, housing insecurity in childhood is often linked to ongoing financial instability in adulthood. Children who grow up in unstable housing situations face higher rates of poverty as adults, perpetuating a cycle of housing insecurity across generations. In sharp contrast, access to education provides the same children with the tools to improve their own lives and create better opportunities for future generations.

Community-Specific Solutions

Stable Homes Stable Schools (SHSS) is a pioneering partnership between MPHA, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), and the YMCA of the North working to reduce homelessness among families with elementary-aged kids in Minneapolis. The program is a holistic approach to addressing the issue through emergency short-term assistance, multi-year rental assistance, and case management. Since 2019, more than 5,700 kids and 2,000 families have benefited from the program.

SHSS is a referral-based program. Please contact a social worker at your child’s school to determine if you qualify for assistance. To participate in SHSS, MPS social workers identify eligible families across the district, as defined as:

• Lacking “a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”;
• Have at least one minor child enrolled in one of the participating Minneapolis Public Schools;
• Have household income of 50 percent or below the Area Median Income (AMI);
• Commit to certain program conditions (such as regular school attendance and parental involvement with school activities).

If you have questions on the SHSS program or want to know how you can support the program, please contact hcv@mplspha.org.

Media questions can be directed to media@mplspha.org.