Coordinated Entry homeless assistance

The Coordinated Entry System helps people experiencing homelessness get connected to housing programs they qualify for. We look at each person or family’s situation and match you with available options.

Housing programs can include:

• Rapid re‑housing
• Transitional housing
• Permanent supportive housing

Some programs are located in specific buildings, while others offer rental assistance that can be used in regular, market‑rate housing across the community.

Because housing resources are limited, Coordinated Entry gives priority to people and families based on the highest vulnerability, greatest service needs, and length of homelessness.

Eligibility

To be eligible for coordinated entry you must meet the following conditions:

• 16 years of age or older.
• Currently sleeping in a homeless shelter, outside or in vehicle or fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.
• A resident of Hennepin County or have strong ties to Hennepin County.
• Household income does not exceed 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the household’s size. See HUD's area median income limits.
• To qualify for a family assessment, an individual or couple must have a child under the age of 18 in their custody at least 51% of the time.

Access

Start here: use the Housing Help Tool

Find out if you qualify for coordinated entry with the Housing Help Tool. 

• Households that qualify will be given information on how to complete a coordinated entry assessment.
• If you don’t qualify, alternative housing resources will be shared.

Information for service providers

Coordinated Entry training

Coordinated Entry 101

• Register for CES 101

Project descriptions

A detailed directory of every housing program in the Coordinated Entry System (CES) is available through the project descriptions Airtable.

It includes information such as program details, eligibility criteria, locations, income requirements, and more.

Tutorials

• Overview of the project description Airtable (Vimeo)
• View project details (Vimeo)
• Update a project description (DOCX, 1MB)
• Update a project description (Vimeo)
• Identify projects for transfers (Vimeo)

Best practices for housing providers

• Register for the CES housing provider training
• Housing Case Manager Client Track training videos

Past Coordinated Entry System training

• CES 101 training and other training videos

Policies and forms

• Hennepin County CES policy and procedure manual (PDF, 1MB) 

Coordinated Entry assessor forms

• Assessor request form (PDF, 1MB) 
• Release of information - Coordinated Entry System (ROI) (DOCX, 1MB) 
  • Hmong Release of information - Coordinated Entry (PDF, 1MB) 
  • Spanish Release of information - Coordinated Entry (PDF, 1MB) 
  • Somali Release of information - Coordinated Entry (PDF, 1MB) 
• Fleeing violence statement (PDF, 1MB) 
• Coordinated Entry Assessment Receipt (PDF, 1MB) 

Coordinated Entry housing provider forms

• Transfer policy - Coordinated Entry System (PDF, 1MB) 
• Transfer Notification Form
• Referral request form
• Referral outcome form (DOCX, 1MB) 
• Expectations after CES referral for housing providers (PDF, 1MB) 

General Coordinated Entry provider forms

• Grievance form (PDF, 1MB) 
• Grievance procedure (PDF, 1MB) 
• Non-Hennepin Shelter Stay Verification Form (PDF, 1MB) 

Coordinated Entry System newsletter

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