Ramsey County sets 2030 target to cut coordinated-entry wait from 881 days to 180

Director Wilkins told the Budget Committee of the Whole that Ramsey County is tracking three measures intended to reduce homelessness and improve equity across the housing stability system. "Our 2030 goal is to reduce the average to 180 days for all residents while closing disparities in access and outcomes," Wilkins said, tying the target to work on system redesign and racial and health equity.

Wilkins said the county is using the coordinated-entry priority list for single adults as a measurable internal metric because Ramsey maintains that list in‑house. "Right now in 2025, the average wait is 881 days," she said, and she warned that averages mask persistent disparities for some racial and ethnic groups. Wilkins described four priority directions for the department—prevent earlier, simplify access, shorten the path to housing, and continue redesigning the system—and said a system redesign, done with community partners, will be part of the strategy to reach the 2030 goal.

Commissioners pressed for near‑term actions and costs. Wilkins estimated the coordinated‑entry redesign consulting work will cost roughly $50,000 this year and emphasized that redesign will include community providers and people with lived experience. County fiscal staff explained some timing and accounting complexities for multi‑year grants and local affordable housing aid that affect how year‑to‑year budgets appear on paper.