Over 500 people have found permanent housing since the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) and the Metropolitan Council's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) partnered to help those sheltering on transit. The first move-in facilitated by the partnership occurred on Feb. 6, 2019. This effort is spearheaded by MTPD’s Homeless Action Team (HAT), which has been working to help unsheltered individuals in the region since early 2018.
“We rely heavily on partnerships to find housing for those in need,” said Sgt. Beverly Rodriguez. “We continue to have an amazing and productive relationship with HRA, and over the years we have begun working with additional fantastic partners to offer services to the unsheltered community.”
HAT is a dedicated group of officers and staff who spend their nights on light rail vehicles, building trust by providing food, clothing, and other assistance. The team also has special transportation such as their Mobile Assessment Vehicle (MAV) to assist with transportation to temporary shelter or permanent housing.
The partnership with the HRA has allowed HAT members to refer some of the people they encounter to the HRA's federally funded rental assistance program (the vouchers are directed to adults ages 18 to 61 who have a disability and have previously engaged with Metro Transit police or another service provider).
After a referral, HRA coordinators help individuals find housing and adjust to their new living situation by providing advice on paying bills, housekeeping, and setting boundaries.
In 2024, HAT housed nine families, including 12 adults and 13 children. These families brought the number of people housed by the program to 540 since HAT started in 2018.
While homelessness is a common issue in the transit industry, the coordination between police, the HRA, local and state agencies and service providers is considered rare nationally.
“I think you’re on the cutting edge of this, working to get the homeless some help so they don’t keep coming back,” said Dan Boyle a San Diego, Calif.-based transit consultant who has studied the response to homelessness by agencies across the country.
In addition to housing, HAT also focuses on addressing issues surrounding substance abuse. In 2024, HAT assisted 57 individuals with intake into treatment facilities. In 2025, HAT will continue to work on both housing and substance abuse issues and is in the process of partnering with a mental health services provider.
The HAT team currently includes Sgt. Beverly Rodriguez, officers Juneehe Han, Katherine Kompelien, and Quentin Waterkamp, and intern Hannah Karau.
Learn more about the Council's efforts to expand affordable housing