THE NEED
A BIG NEED
On any given night, it is estimated there are over 10,233 homeless in Minnesota.
​
66% or 6,763 reside in the Twin Cities, and nearly half are in families (with accompanying children).
DIRECT REACH
Socks are distributed by our 501c3 partner, through regular clothing distribution events at a church in downtown Minneapolis and direct via street outreach activities. Staff are all volunteers. Simple, low overhead, effective.
REAL IMPACT
Grateful, appreciative, humbled, happy...
​
The simple gift of a good warm pair of new wool socks can make a difference in someone's world.
OVERWHELMING STATISTICS
2018 interview data show that 27% of adults experiencing homelessness spent more than a week out of the past month staying outside (compared to 18% in 2015).
Among all homeless adults interviewed:
-
32% have been turned away from a shelter in the last 3 months due to lack of space,
-
50% are on a subsidized housing waiting list, and
-
For those on a waiting list, 12 months is the average time they have been waiting.
Of those experiencing homelessness on any given day in MN, 979 were family households, 301 were Veterans, 709 were unaccompanied young adults (18-24yo), 1,066 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
Continuums of Care to the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
The top five causes of homelessness among unaccompanied individuals were:
-
Lack of affordable housing,
-
Unemployment,
-
Poverty,
-
Mental illness and the lack of needed services,
-
Substance abuse and the lack of needed services.
Homelessness, defined by HUD’s Homeless Emergency assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act:
-
​People living in a place not meant for human habitation.
-
People who are losing their primary nighttime residence within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing.
-
Families with children or unaccompanied youth who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state (have not had a lease or ownership interest in the last 60+ days, have had two or more moves in that time and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment).
-
People fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening situations related to violence; have no other residence; and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
