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. The program offers both prevention (emergency short-term assistance) and intervention (multi-year rental assistance) services. Since 2019, SHSS has served more than 2,200 families, benefiting more than 6,200 children.
Of the families supported by SHSS, 1,938* have received emergency short-term assistance through SHSS’ housing stability program. Housing stability helps families avoid homelessness with emergency short-term 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.
Asking for Help When the Paychecks Stopped: Danecha Gipson
Danecha Gipson had always been an advocate for organizations like SHSS, providing struggling families the help they need. Always the advocate, Danecha never expected she’d need this kind of help for her own family. However, when her employer suddenly cut her community organizing position last summer, Danecha found herself suddenly unable to pay rent.
“It was stressful when funding at my job ran out,” said Danecha Gipson, a Stable Homes Stable Schools participant. “I was wondering how long the stand still was going to be and whether I’d ever get another paycheck.”
That’s when she decided it was time to ask for help. Danecha connected with a social worker at her son’s school, Lucey Craft Laney, and started the SHSS process to receive housing stability support.
“I felt ashamed asking for help. But all the Stable Homes Stable Schools staff I worked with really reassured me that it is okay to ask for help,” said Danecha.
The program helped Danecha and her two kids get back on their feet with emergency short-term assistance, paying a month’s rent. This support prevented Danecha’s family from falling further behind on rent or facing a potential eviction. Today, Danecha is back on track, paying her rent each month and keeping her family stably housed.
“I’m so thankful to have gotten the help I needed,” said Danecha.
Getting Help Securing Reliable Housing: Shaylah Osborne
Two years ago, 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. With two kids and another on the way, Shaylah was facing housing instability. After six months living in a shelter, Shaylah was able to get back into an apartment of her own but struggled to pay the upfront costs of her new lease.
A social worker at her kids’ school, Lucy Craft Laney, told her Stable Homes Stable Schools could help her get over the hurdle of the move-in costs to help get her family into reliable housing. Shaylah was able to receive one month’s rent through the housing stability program.
“SHSS helped us and now my kids won’t have to experience the shelter or bouncing from house to house again,” said Shaylah Osborne, a Stable Homes Stable Schools participant. “Now, my kids have their own space. We have a real home.”
Today, Shaylah’s family is thriving in a three-bedroom apartment. And with their housing stabilized, her two elementary-aged kids can focus on school and just being kids again.
*As of March 31, 2025
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SHSS is a referral-based program. Anyone interested in learning more about participating in SHSS should contact their MPS social workers to determine eligibility.
