Avivo works with partners toward ending veteran homelessness

Avivo is proud to be a partner organization working toward ending veteran homelessness in Hennepin County. Other partners include staff from the Veterans Administration (VA), the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V), Hennepin County, and the Military Records Research Center (MRRC) to create a safety net of resources for veterans.

“Avivo Village is home to many different populations of folks. We get people coming in from all kinds of backgrounds and histories of their lives. We started to notice a lot of people were coming in who were veterans experiencing homelessness,” shares Winnie Tynddol, housing case manager at Avivo.

Winnie shares that Avivo provides supportive services which address each individual’s unique needs. She’s proud that Avivo Village, Avivo’s 100-unit tiny home shelter in Minneapolis’ North Loop, has served as a temporary home for 40 veterans since 2020 as they work toward permanent housing.

Recently, a proclamation by Hennepin County of “effectively ending” veteran homelessness has sparked pride and reflection among the Avivo Village team. Chase Keye, program manager at Avivo Village, shared his thoughts, “Talking with my team about it, we’re excited that the numbers of homeless veterans continue to go down.”

However, Chase continues, “The number has gotten to point where people in need of housing are the hardest to house – people living with comorbidities, severe mental illness, chronic substance use. This is where Avivo Village is at our strongest, because that’s our specialty. There are still people out there without homes, and more work that needs to be done.”

“The number has gotten to point where people in need of housing are the hardest to house – people living with comorbidities, severe mental illness, chronic substance use. This is where Avivo Village is at our strongest, because that’s our specialty. There are still people out there without homes, and more work that needs to be done.”

Despite the challenges, Avivo continues to play a crucial role. Avivo Village acts as a central location where service providers, including partners, can connect more easily with veterans. “Outreach workers, including from the Veterans Administration, will find veterans experiencing homelessness and link them to Avivo Village,” shares Winnie. “Then instead of searching for people in encampments or a friend’s house, you’re able to find people in one, stable location.”

Winnie described how Avivo Village provides stability and structure for veterans experiencing homelessness. Her experience has been a learning journey, from understanding veterans’ unique challenges to connecting them with vital resources. “There were folks who could get their Social Security active, but needed assistance, or they needed medical appointments,” she shares.

Photo of Antonio, a veteran housed through Avivo Village, and his dogs. Photo courtesy of Kim North, MAC-V

Collaboration is central to Avivo’s approach. The team works closely with partners like MAC-V and the VA, participating in biweekly meetings to review the status of every homeless veteran. This partnership ensures that veterans receive a comprehensive range of services, from healthcare and psychiatric support to assistance with moving and securing housing. “It’s been a really great collaboration,” said Chase, acknowledging the strength of a united effort.

Avivo’s work involves more than just housing—it’s about supporting veterans on every front. “I always rely on people who know those types of services best,” Winnie emphasized, noting the importance of coordination. Together, Avivo and its partners have created a network of care that is transforming lives and bringing hope to veterans who have long awaited the recognition and support they deserve.

The vision for the future is clear, shares Chase: Avivo will to continue leveraging resources and partnerships to make veteran homelessness a thing of the past. While the journey is ongoing, the hope remains strong. “With the amount of resources that are out there,” Chase said optimistically, “we can get them housed.”

Are you interested in making a difference in veterans homelessness by supporting Avivo? Please make a donation here, and if you’re interested in volunteering you can learn more here.