Item Description:
title
Agmt A2613554, JPA with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs for mutual cooperation and to accept funding for services for veterans experiencing homelessness, 07/01/26-06/30/27, NTE $500,000 (recv), continue 3.0 grant-funded FTEs and adding 1.0 grant-funded FTE
end
Resolution:
body
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Joint Powers Agreement A2613554 with the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs, for mutual cooperation and the provision of services for veterans experiencing homelessness, during the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continuing funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program if these grant funds are not made available or when grant funds are no longer available.
end
Background:
The Minnesota State Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) continues to be committed to reducing and eliminating Veteran Homelessness, evidenced by MDVA providing funding to Hennepin County for this work since 2020. Under Minnesota Statutes §471.59, subd. 10, the State is empowered to engage such assistance as deemed necessary. This program is intended to assist the former service members in gaining access to the Homeless Veteran Registry, while connecting the former service member to the resources needed to secure permanent housing.
Hennepin County has a strong working relationship with MDVA and was proud to announce a functional end to Veteran Homelessness in 2024. Funding from this Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) will help sustain the functional end to Veteran homelessness in Hennepin County, and work toward achieving the goal of ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.
The goal of this agreement is to stably house Veterans. In this agreement, Hennepin County will provide up to 4.0 full time employees to provide the following services to Veterans experiencing homelessness in Hennepin County:
• Provide short-term housing focused assistance to Veterans to connect with internal and/or community resources to help meet their needs. Services will be provided in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner.
• Complete housing and needs assessments, and develop an initial housing focused plan with the Veteran to address gaps that exist in the Veteran’s support system.
• Closely collaborate with the Veterans’ Service Office, the Minnesota State Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs Coordinator, the Veteran Homeless Registry Team, the Veterans Administration Community Referral and Referral Center and appropriate Veteran non-profit organizations to make effective referrals, service connections, and system improvements.
Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs have entered into similar JPAs since 2022. The most recent JPA (A2512919) was approved on July 29, 2025 (Resolution 25-0269). JPA A2613554 will utilize a new cost reimbursement methodology and cover an additional FTE dedicated to supporting Veterans experiencing homelessness
Current Request: Approve agreement A2613554, a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs for mutual cooperation and to accept funding for services for veterans experiencing homelessness, for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in the not-to-exceed receivable amount of $500,000 to continue funding for 3 Veteran specific housing-focused case managers and add funding for 1 additional Veteran specific housing-focused case manager.
Impact/Outcomes: This funding from the MDVA will allow Veterans experiencing homelessness to receive housing focused case management services, to move out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
Disparity Elimination: This funding supports the County’s disparity reduction efforts by providing housing stability for veterans, many of whom are members of groups disparately impacted by homelessness and housing instability.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval