• Unsheltered homelessness in Minnesota has increased over the past decade.
• The alarming overrepresentation of Native Americans experiencing homelessness is magnified within the unsheltered population.
• Unsheltered women experience much higher rates of violence and exploitation than men.
• People experiencing unsheltered homelessness face profound substance use challenges, which often co-occur with mental health conditions.
• High rates of previous incarceration create further instability for those who are unsheltered.
• The majority of Minnesota’s unsheltered population is stuck in long-term homelessness.

---

About The Data

Unlike a point-in-time count, which only considers one night of a person’s experience, Minnesota Homeless Study data help us understand shelter patterns and how outcomes differ depending on whether and how often someone sleeps outside. This brief is one in a series examining interview data from the 2023 Minnesota Homeless Study. Each brief explores a specific aspect of homelessness and provides detailed data to inform services, interventions, and policies across our state.