In October 2023, Wilder conducted 4,600 one-on-one interviews with people experiencing homelessness across the state of Minnesota in one day. Every three years since 1991, Wilder partners with hundreds of service providers and thousands of volunteer interviewers to conduct the Minnesota Homeless Study.
Many of the interview questions ask participants about difficult experiences they’ve had in their lives. But in 2023, our final question of the interview asked folks to share their greatest strengths that have helped them deal with the challenges or obstacles in their life.
During a difficult moment in our community’s history, we wanted to spend some time reflecting on and sharing participants’ greatest sources of strength, in their own words. Most often, participants shared about their determination and resilience, relationships, and faith. It is critical to recognize these strengths in any solutions to addressing homelessness. Plus, homelessness is one of the most stressful situations a person can experience—so the sources of strength people rely on to make it through homelessness can be instructive for anyone going through challenging times.
Determination and resilience
Participants shared that their personal determination and resilience helped them survive and cope with their current situation. They described themselves as tough, resourceful, diligent, self-motivated, and holding fortitude and perseverance. Some also shared that holding onto hope for the future, and a belief that things will get better, helped them deal with the challenges they faced.
Determination, willpower, staying in there when the going gets rough.
Knowing things will get better as long as I keep trying. Keep maintaining sober and good things will happen.
Keeping a strong heart no matter what anybody says.
I’m a fighter and I refuse to die homeless.
I know I will make it. My life will get better because I am strong and able.
Relationships
Participants spoke about the strength they draw from their relationships with their children, family, partners, friends, and other people they love and rely upon. Their love for their children, and the responsibility they felt to ensure their well-being, was an important source of strength in the face of challenges.
My will and strength and determination to survive. My children having and needing a better life. Wanting to provide for them and give them the best.
My kids keep me strong and motivated.
Being a great mother. Doing the things for my children that I wish were done for me!
My family. My siblings, they are like my kids because they are younger. Knowing that I’m putting in the work to create a safe place for myself and them as well.
Making sure my kids are safe. My kids are the most important thing of my life.
[Having a] good woman in my corner.
[Having a] good sense of humor with [my] partner.
Faith
Participants relied upon their faith, spirituality, and commitment to God as an important source of strength to carry them through the challenges they faced. They spoke about how their trust in their higher power gave them hope for a better future ahead.
Faith helps me go on day to day.
Trying to depend on my faith with God. Going forward with God. Joy to be a Christian.
Pray, have faith, look at my child. With all that, I know I can’t give up in life.
Belief that my God will protect me in the street. I have faith that this won’t be forever and determination that my life will get better.
Staying focused, putting God first.
An interviewer’s perspective
The additional question about sources of strength was a welcome change for study interviewers, too. Amanda Eggers shares her experience:
Even as a long-time volunteer interviewer for the Minnesota Homeless Study (five studies and counting), I always feel a bit of trepidation in the lead-up to interview day. It can be an intense experience to sit down with people experiencing homelessness and ask them about the constellation of life experiences that has led them to where they are on that day. There are a lot of questions to ask, and many focus on difficult and personal topics. But as the interviews unfold any trepidation quickly vanishes, and people consistently respond to these tough questions with remarkable grace and equanimity.
And, for the first time this year, our survey ended on a positive note. Along with a thank you, participants were given an opportunity to identify something personal and meaningful to themselves, something that sustains them or gives them hope. Some people expressed a moment of surprise when asked this question, and some declined to answer. But many did answer.
A homeless youth described the importance of his friends and family.
An HIV-positive man proudly identified as a survivor.
A single mother credited her faith as the reason she was sober and hopeful.
Each response is unique but also universal, and together, are an important reminder of the real people that exist behind the numbers.
Get involved
The 2026 Homeless Study relies on community support to capture these thousands of stories of people experiencing homelessness. We’d love you to be part of that community—here’s how you can help:
- Sign up for our newsletter to learn about opportunities to get involved
- Donate to help make the study a success (indicate the gift is for the MN Homeless Study in the donation form)
Wilder also partners with the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative to Prevent and End Homelessness and participating Tribal nations on a companion study of homelessness on Native American reservations (data not reported here). Learn more about the Reservation Homeless Study.
About the authors
Jessie Austin O’Neill is a Research Scientist and Co-Director of the Minnesota and Reservation Homeless Studies, and her expertise spans housing and homelessness, child welfare, community safety, and child and youth development.
Amanda Eggers is a Research Librarian, supporting research projects with information searches and strategies, publication assistance, and managing information systems for the research team.
Karen Ulstad is a Research Associate and has been a part of the Minnesota Homeless Study team since 1991, assisting with nearly every phase of the project.
