Contact: Tom Triplett, HeadingHome Minnesota, 651-556-4504

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 19 /Standard Newswire/ -- A sweeping plan to end homelessness gained new momentum today when Governor Tim Pawlenty and a broad coalition of business, nonprofit and faith leaders announced a private-sector commitment to raise $60 million. Over one-quarter of the total -- $16 million -- already has been pledged, with the balance to be raised by 2010. These funds are in addition to the $18 million in philanthropic contributions raised through 2007.

The announcement came at a news conference to launch HeadingHome Minnesota, a public-private partnership to end homelessness in the state. The private sector contributions will complement $217 million the initiative is seeking in new funding from local, state and federal governments by 2010.

Ending long-term homelessness by 2010 has been a priority for the Pawlenty Administration, with general fund and bonding investments of $74 million since 2004 for permanent supportive housing for families with children and individuals who experience long-term homelessness.

HeadingHome Minnesota is an umbrella partnership that will integrate strategies already underway, including the Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness -- a statewide private-public partnership -- and four regional HeadingHome programs in Hennepin, Ramsey and St. Louis Counties and Southeast Minnesota.

HeadingHome Minnesota is co-chaired by Jim Frey, president of the Frey Foundation, and Carleen Rhodes, president of the St. Paul Foundation. Other key members of the initiative include Stan K. Dardis, chief executive officer, Bremer Financial; Jim Humphrey, president and chief executive officer, Andersen Corporation; Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner; Steven O'Neil, St. Louis County Commissioner; James Gertmenian, Senior Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church; Tom Kingston, president of Wilder Foundation; and Kate Wolford, president of The McKnight Foundation.

"At this time of the year, we are moved to help others in tangible ways," Governor Pawlenty said. "The financial commitment of HeadingHome Minnesota will go a long way toward ending chronic homelessness in our state. It's these kind of strong and diverse partnerships that are essential for success."

There are about 9,200 Minnesotans who are homeless, according to a 2006 study by Wilder Research. Included in the homeless population are 1,318 families. Wilder estimates that 30 percent of people without homes live outside the Twin Cities metro area.

"The good news is that we know what works to end homelessness," said Humphrey at Wednesday's news conference. "After steady increases throughout the 1990s, the number of homeless Minnesotans appears to be leveling off as new strategies are being implemented. The challenge and opportunity for us now is to build on these successful strategies."

HeadingHome Minnesota's efforts will emphasize three long-term solutions that address the underlying challenges facing the homeless:

• Prevent homelessness from happening. Emergency assistance for the breadwinner who lost a job, the veteran struggling to readjust to society and others hit with a setback can mean the difference between someone getting back on his or her feet or facing a downward spiral into homelessness.

• Create supportive housing for people who need help stabilizing and improving their lives. Supportive housing provides a stable home and services to address the underlying causes of homelessness-and gets people out of expensive hospitals, detox facilities and temporary shelters.

• Outreach to those who are on the streets. A coordinated system of 24/7 outreach to those living on the streets can reduce the impact of homelessness on the community by providing individuals and families with the help they need and getting them into housing.

These strategies work and they benefit everyone, including taxpayers, said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Tim Marx. Recognizing the site of the news conference -- Camden Apartments in North Minneapolis, Project for Pride in Living supportive housing unit for families with children, especially those headed by fathers -- Marx highlighted the importance of combining housing and services that help people bring stability to their lives. Marx cited the story of Earnest, a long-term victim of homelessness, who said, "Housing allowed me to become a dad again, to become a husband again and a man again instead of a boy."

According to research by the University of Pennsylvania, providing permanent supportive housing with mental health care and job training benefits the homeless and the broader community:

·        Emergency visits are reduced by 58 percent;

·        Detox services are reduced by 85 percent;

·        Rates of incarceration are reduced by 50 percent; and

·        Earned income of homeless people is increased by 50 percent.

HeadingHome Minnesota will engage Minnesotans in supporting effective strategies, a point highlighted by Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter who also spoke at the news conference. "Bringing attention to the challenge of homelessness must be part of the solution," said Carter. "We need grassroots involvement in supporting solutions and bringing an end to homelessness."

The initiative also will collaborate with existing efforts to end homelessness. Frey said he was especially encouraged by the success of the Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness. The statewide private-public partnership, which is now part of HeadingHome Minnesota, was started in 2004.

"The Business Plan has created over 1,600 supportive housing opportunities -- almost halfway home toward its 7-year goal of 4,000," said Frey. "And it has succeeded while staying on budget and on time."

HeadingHome Minnesota has already garnered national support through the homelessness initiatives of Fannie Mae.

"HeadingHome Minnesota is a path breaking partnership that leverages public & private resources to implement effective programs and create the supportive housing needed to prevent and end homelessness," said Ken Bacon, Executive Vice President of Fannie Mae's Housing & Community Development division. "Fannie Mae is proud to be an investor in this initiative."

HeadingHome's public-private-nonprofit collaboration will continue to develop the innovative programs that are earning national recognition for Minnesota's efforts to end homelessness, said Rhodes.

"We have the discipline to invest in strategies with proven records of success. But we also recognize that homelessness is a statewide challenge; HeadingHome gives us the flexibility to tailor programs to local needs and circumstances," said Rhodes.