Stable Homes Stable Schools (SHSS) is a pioneering partnership between MPHA, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) to help reduce homelessness among families with elementary-aged kids in Minneapolis. Across its prevention (emergency short- and medium-term assistance) and intervention (multi-year rental assistance and support) services since 2019, SHSS has served more than 2,200 families, benefiting more than 6,200 children. This spring, the Pohlad Family Foundation granted MPHA $350,000 to support SHSS’ housing stabilization programming.
Of the more than 2,200 families supported by SHSS, 1,938* have received emergency short- or medium-term assistance through SHSS’ housing stabilization program. Housing stabilization helps families avoid homelessness with emergency assistance which could include back pay of rent, helping pay for fixing a car needed to get to work, or other forms of assistance to keep families in their current housing. This tool is key to preventing homelessness before it happens and has helped 5,333* children avoid homelessness since SHSS’ inception.
“I am grateful for program funders like the Pohlad Family Foundation that understand the significant impact Stable Homes Stable Schools has in our community,” said Brandon Crow, Director of MPHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Department. “The Pohlad Family Foundation has been a primary supporter of the Stable Homes Stable Schools program from the beginning. This program has been a stabilizing force for more than 2,200 Minneapolis families—including over 6,200 children—keeping families housed and helping children achieve more in school.”
The SHSS program is a holistic approach to addressing homelessness has helped thousands of families—like Danecha Gipson and Shaylah Osborne. When Danecha Gipson found herself suddenly unable to pay rent, SHSS helped her get back on their feet with emergency short-term assistance—paying a month’s rent—preventing Danecha’s family from falling further behind on rent or facing a potential eviction. Shaylah Osborne had a traumatic experience that had a domino effect: Shaylah lost her job, couldn’t pay rent, and was evicted leaving her and her kids facing homelessness. When Shaylah was able to get back into an apartment of her own, SHSS was able to help her get over the hurdle of the move-in costs to help get her family into reliable housing through the housing stability program.
This $350,000 grant will allow SHSS to help more families like Danecha and Shaylah’s avoid homelessness.
*As of March 31, 2025
———
SHSS is a referral-based program. Anyone interested in learning more about participating in SHSS should contact their MPS social workers to determine eligibility.
