John and Denise Graves built their kitchen-table start up into a 150-employee company and sold it for over $150 million. Shortly after the sale they launched the John and Denise Graves Foundation (also known as Graves Foundation) - determined to improve the lives of youth by supporting education, community building, housing, and youth development in and around Minneapolis. A few years later PERIS Hill became a reality and the PERIS Foundation was formed.

The Administration has asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cut its workforce by about half, and threatened reductions to programs and funding. Nearly 165,000 Minnesotans rely on direct support from federal housing programs run by HUD - support that creates lasting housing solutions and strengthens communities across the state. If enacted, these cuts will have devastating consequences. We need to act now!

The 2024 PIT count quantifies a visible and felt tragedy unfolding for Minnesotans across our state that compels response and demands that we ask hard questions and move toward action. What would it take to solve homelessness in Minnesota… to create humane solutions to encampments… to provide effective and comprehensive housing support to Minnesotans who need it most… to lead on effective solutions that could impact homelessness nationwide? We’re hoping Helsinki, Finland may reveal some answers.