Investing in Ending Single Adult Homelessness: Analyzing the Shift Toward 24/7 Shelter Models

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to assess the expansion of 24/7 emergency shelters - locations where individuals experiencing homelessness can stay temporarily - that occurred as part of Hennepin County’s COVID-19 response. Our research focused on single adults experiencing homelessness, and we sought to answer three primary questions. First, how has Hennepin County’s expansion of 24/7 emergency shelters compared to that of similarly sized Continuums of Care? Second, how has the shift to a 24/7 model impacted shelter utilization and client outcomes? And third, how have changes to the shelter model affected the subjective experience of working in and with emergency shelters, and what effects do staff perceive on the experience of clients utilizing shelter services?

To answer these questions, we used qualitative and quantitative methods. For our qualitative analysis, we conducted interviews with shelter administrators and Hennepin County employees. We analyzed these interviews to convey the challenges and benefits associated with the expansion of 24/7 emergency shelter. For the quantitative analysis, we used HMIS 030 MN Core Homeless Programs Report Entry/Exit data for Hennepin County to describe demographic changes in the single adult shelter population between 2019 and 2022. We also ran regression models on that data to explore possible associations between shelter models and client outcomes such as nights spent in shelter and the odds of exiting to permanent housing.

Through our qualitative analysis, we focused on what the shelter administrators and Hennepin County employees found to be the most effective use of funds, benefits of the 24/7 model, challenges of this model, barriers to accessing shelter, and suggestions for improving outcomes. Interviewees cited Homeless to Housing, Hotels to Housing, single-room occupancy shelters, increased case management services, comprehensive wraparound services, and diversified, person-center shelters as the most effective uses of funds. The most frequently discussed benefits of the 24/7 model were increased safety, more opportunities to connect with clients, better outcomes, and the convenience and dignity offered by 24/7 shelters. Challenges of the 24/7 model included increased costs and operational needs, limited shelter capacity, extended lengths of stay, safety concerns, and the varied schedules of shelter clients. The remaining barriers that prevented individuals from accessing shelter or permanent housing included issues with communication (lack of phone access, etc.), documentation (disability paperwork, immigration status, birth certificate, etc.), and navigating complex systems.