Emergency programs

When Hennepin County residents are in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety, the county may be able to help by providing short-term aid.

Services may include:

Emergency temporary shelter
Housing costs like rent payments, damage deposits, home repairs and utility bills
Foreclosure prevention, moving expenses and transportation to relocate
Extra food support for people on special diets

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Homeless shelter information

Hennepin Shelter Hotline

Call 612-204-8200

Hennepin Shelter Hotline serves Hennepin County residents who are seeking emergency shelter by helping them find a safe, temporary place to stay while they work on next steps toward stable housing.

A person or family should contact Hennepin Shelter Hotline if:

They are 18 years or older
They are seeking emergency shelter

Hotline hours:

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

**callers outside of these hours will be directed to United Way's 2-1-1

Hennepin Shelter Hotline, which is operated by Catholic Charities Twin Cities, works as a first step service in partnership with existing services, such as Adult Shelter Connect, the Hennepin County shelter Team, and other crisis lines. By calling the Hotline, residents who are facing a housing emergency can explore all their options before accessing emergency shelter.

Learn about Hennepin County's contracted shelters

Find out what different shelters offer, and for whom each one is best suited.

View shelter amenities (PDF).

If you’re fleeing domestic violence

Visit the Day One website.

Call 1-866-223-1111 to be connected to the closest available domestic violence shelter.

Youth programs

Visit the Youth Services Network webpage.

Apply for emergency short-term help

To apply for assistance, fill out an ApplyMN online application or print the combined application form and mail it back to the address below. You may also call 612-596-1300 to have a form mailed to you.

P.O. Box 107, Minneapolis, MN 5540

If you need assistance with completing an application, call 612-596-1300 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to have a Human Services Representative help you.

Please be aware that your benefits will not start until your paperwork is received and processed. A phone interview is required.

Homeless shelter resources

Get help

Families, single people and youth can discuss options with a member of the shelter team.

By phone

612-348-9410

In person

Visit the Central-Northeast Minneapolis Human Services Center

Health Services Building
525 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Map

After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends and holidays

Call 211 to be referred to the after-hours shelter team.
From a mobile phone, call 651-291-0211.

Domestic violence

Call Day One at 1-866-223-1111.

Day One is a central phone line that will connect you with all of the available domestic violence shelter sin the state, starting with the one nearest to you.

Homeless youth

Youth older than 18 and parenting teens can visit the human services center to get a referral.

As an alternative, youth can access one of the shelters listed below:

The Bridge for Youth

612-377-8800

Overnight stay only
For 10- to 17-year-olds who may be reunified with family
For 16- to 18-year-olds who are unable to be reunified with family

Avenues for Homeless Youth

612-522-1690

For 16 - 20-year-olds

Hope Street Shelter

612-827-9372

For 16- to 20-year-olds
Families are contacted if possible

Single adults without children

Adult Shelter Connect (ASC)

612-248-2350
215 South 8th Street, in downtown Minneapolis. Use the 2nd Avenue door.
9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
ASC map
Several bus routes stop nearby. Call Metro Transit at 612-373-3333 or go online to plan your trip: www.metrotransit.org.
Learn more at the ASC website.

After 7:30 p.m.

Call United Way 2-1-1 for shelter services.
The 2-1-1 specialist will help you find an open bed in the shelter system and connect you to that shelter.
You will be instructed to visit Adult Shelter Connect the next day if you access shelter through 2-1-1.
From a mobile phone, call 651-291-0211.

You have the right to appeal

If you don't agree with an action taken on your case, you have the right to appeal.

File an appeal

There are several options to file.

Submit a handwritten request to appeal or use the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to Hennepin County:

Mail
Hennepin County Human Services Department
PO Box 107
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Fax: 612-288-2981
Upload to your account: mnbenefits.mn.gov
Drop off: Any Hennepin County Human Service Center drop box

Submit the Appeal to State Agency form (DHS-0033) to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Submission instructions on the form.

Timelines

Emergency assistance (with minors in the household)

Emergency general assistance (without minors in the household)

You must request the appeal hearing within 30 days of receiving a notice of proposed action, or show good cause for not requesting within that time. You may file an appeal up to 90 days after receiving the notice of proposed action if you show good cause for not filing within 30 days. An emergency general assistance application is only good for 30 days, if the appeal request is longer than 30 days ago, it is recommended you re-apply for the program.

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