An Evaluation of the Hennepin County Emergency Assistance Program's Relationship with Family Shelter Use

Abstract

This report examines the relationship between the Emergency Assistance program and the prevention of family homelessness in Hennepin County. This analysis concentrations on the policy window between June 2009 and December 2010, when Hennepin County modified client eligibility requirements to meet an increase in demand for emergency support resulting from the economic crisis. This change in policy allowed families in crisis to utilize Emergency Assistance twice in a 12-month period rather than once, as the program’s typical eligibility schedule permits. This policy change allows for an analysis comparing the single- and dual-disbursement periods and their suggested effect on family homelessness.