A Politician Who Gets It: Real Solutions to Homelessness

Invisible People

In this special episode, we bring you a compelling interview with Commissioner Irene Fernando, a trailblazing leader from Hennepin County, Minnesota. While filming our documentary on how Hennepin County is reducing homelessness, we had an eye-opening conversation with Irene about the county's innovative and compassionate approach to solving homelessness. From eviction prevention to affordable housing and supportive services, Irene discusses the importance of building a community-wide system that addresses homelessness at every level.

This episode dives deep into why criminalizing homelessness doesn’t work and why long-term investments in housing and support systems are not only more humane but also more economically viable. Commissioner Fernando shares the county’s success in reducing homelessness and offers insight into how other communities can follow their lead.

Whether you're a policymaker, advocate, or just someone interested in real-world solutions to homelessness, this episode is a must-listen.

Watch our must-see documentary, "America Can End Homelessness: Hennepin County Proves It's Possible." Search "Invisible People" to find our YouTube channel or click here.

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Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis

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Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change, and thoughtful dialogue around poverty and homelessness.