Library

Looking for new and notable information to help you dig deeper into an issue? Start with these featured reports and web sites, and then browse through our full selection by topic.

Reports: Featured

Quarterly economic pulse December 2011
Greater Twin Cities United Way and Twin Cities Compass, December 2011, 4 pp.
Provides information on economic trends impacting the Twin Cities region, including data on the unemployment rate, layoffs, housing, homelessness, and community basic needs. more info >

Beds not buses: Housing vs. transportation for homeless students
National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, September 2011, 21 pp.
This report explores the idea that providing affordable housing to homeless families is more cost-effective than providing federally mandated transportation for homeless students. more info >

2010 Minnesota baseline housing measures
The McKnight Foundation and Housing Link, September 2011, 27 pp.
This report uses a series of specific measurements to track activity within the affordable housing community. The data collected here represents the first view of a three-year trend in affordable housing activity. more info >

The state of the nation's housing 2011
The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, June 2011, 44 pp.
This is an assessment of the nation’s housing outlook and summarizes important trends in the economics and demographics of housing. more info >

Homeless service use in Minnesota: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing, federal fiscal year 2010
Wilder Research, May 2011, 84 pp.
Describes shelter stay patterns and demographic characteristics of those served by Minnesota’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) during federal fiscal year 2010. more info >

Where we are now: Heading Home Hennepin 2011
Heading Home Hennepin, April 2011, 44 pp.
Summary of four years of work towards a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Hennepin County. It provides an update on the current status of efforts to eliminate homelessness and provides data to illuminate the context in which they are working. more info >

The unraveling of the American dream
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota, April 2011, 9 pp.
Research on the relationship between various household characteristics and foreclosures for households with children enrolled in Minneapolis public schools. more info >

Central Corridor key outcomes: Baseline indicators report
Central Corridor Funders Collaborative, March 2011, 43 pp.
This reporting tool presents baseline data, gathered before construction of the Central Corridor, on the progress made toward realizing the outcomes for the surrounding area identified by the Funders Collaborative. The report focuses on 13 indicators that will be used to measure outcomes and provides detailed breakouts for the East, Middle and West segments of the corridor. more info >

2010 Foreclosures in Minnesota: A report based on county sherriff's sale data
HousingLink, February 2011, 14 pp.
Minnesota foreclosure counts and rates for all Minnesota counties during 2010. more info >

Should I stay or should I go? : Exploring the effects of housing instability and mobility on children
Center for Housing Policy, February 2011, 19 pp.
Examines the relationships between income, residential moves, and outcomes for kids. The paper finds that in general, low-income families are more likely to experience disruptive moves than other families. more info >

Long-term homelessness among individuals and families in Minnesota
Wilder Research, January 2011, 40 pp.
This special analysis of the 2009 Wilder Statewide Homelessness Study summarizes information about families and individuals who could be considered “long-term homeless.” On the date of the survey, 2,449 adults and unaccompanied youth were identified who were experiencing long-term homelessness. They had 727 children with them, for a total of 3,176 people. more info >

2009 hSum report
HousingLink, December 2010, 13 pp.
Yearly comprehensive count of tenant- and unit-based rental assistance in the Twin Cities metro area. more info >

Transform 2010: Data report - baby boomer survey
Minnesota Department of Human Services, November 2010, 24 pp.
Results of a survey of Minnesota baby boomers that asked for their thoughts about work and housing and how they expect to approach these issues in the next 10 years. more info >

Balancing affordability and opportunity: An evaluation of affordable homeownership programs with long-term affordability controls
Urban Institute, October 2010, 41 pp.
Shared Equity Homeownership is an increasingly common long-term affordable homeownership strategy. This study shows that shared equity programs are successful in creating homeownership opportunities for lower income families that allow purchasers to accumulate assets, while, at the same time, creating a stock of affordable housing that remains within the financial reach of subsequent lower income homebuyers. more info >

Quarterly housing indicators
Minnesota Housing Partnership, October 2010, 4 pp.
The so-called "2x4" report tracks two trends in each of four key housing areas: the rental market, the owners' market, homelessness, and the housing industry. more info >

Residential foreclosures in Minnesota: Summer 2010
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, September 2010, 41 pp.
The following report provides key findings about the current state of the foreclosure crisis in Minnesota. It provides information about key statewide trends and shows how the foreclosure crisis varies by zip code across the state. more info >

2009 Minnesota baseline housing measures
The McKnight Foundation and Housing Link, August 2010, 34 pp.
This report uses a series of specific measurements to track activity within the affordable housing community. The data collected here represents the first view of a three-year trend in affordable housing activity. more info >

Ending family homelessness: Lessons from communities
July 2010, 8 pp.
This report provides an overview of family homelessness in the United States. It examines key strategies that communities are implementing to respond to increased family housing instability and homelessness and discusses the need for federal leadership. more info >

Homelessness in Minnesota: Key findings from the 2009 statewide survey
Wilder Research, May 2010, 8 pp.
Key facts from the Wilder Research survey conducted in October 2009. The survey shows an increase in the number of homeless youth and adults in Minnesota, and includes information on shelter use, employment status, health and mental health issues, and barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing. more info >

Demographics of homelessness series: The rising elderly population
National Alliance to End Homelessness, April 2010, 8 pp.
This report provides an assessment of the recent and projected changes in homelessness among the elderly and assesses the ability of public affordable housing programs to handle this growth in elderly persons at risk of housing instability and homelessness. more info >

Preserving affordability and access in livable communities: subsidized housing opportunities near transit and the 50+ population
AARP Public Policy Institute, September 2009, 117 pp.
This study analyzed the location of affordable housing in 20 metropolitan areas across the United States, including Minneapolis/St. Paul, measuring the amount of that housing within certain distances of transit. more info >

Affordable housing research and recommendations
Himle Horner, Inc., July 2009, 49 pp.
Results of research commissioned by The McKnight Foundation to better understand public attitudes toward affordable housing and to identify strategies that could build public support for affordable housing. more info >

Web sites

Twin Cities Housing Policy
Tools and resources to inform citizens and assist in advocating for improved affordable housing policy in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. more info >

HUD Research Library
Includes reports, publications, periodicals, and data from HUD and other sources. Topics include: affordable housing, community development, homelessness, supportive housing, housing statistics, and more. more info >

National Health Care for the Homeless Council
News, events, research, and advocacy information on health-care issues related to homelessness. more info >

HousingPolicy.org
Online guide to state and local housing policy that provides examples of solutions for expanding the availability of affordable housing. Includes guidance on how to create a comprehensive and effective housing strategy. more info >