Waypoint Web App: Connecting Residents and Providers with Basic Need Resources

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2019

Hennepin Waypoint is a web-based, mobile compliant application designed to assist people experiencing homelessness or extreme financial hardships locate services. Waypoint is also a resource tool for service providers. Services within the app are organized into categories and can be interactively mapped.The primary goal of the application is to connect those in need with information about shelters, food sources, public restrooms, legal services, social activities, training, and mental health resources. Additionally, Waypoint can be used by service providers to look up nearby supplemental resources during their interactions with clients.Hennepin County Human Services Communications staff is in the process of promoting Waypoint to numerous organizations, county service centers, healthcare organizations, Hennepin libraries and other agencies.Hennepin Waypoint was a collaborative effort between Hennepin GIS, the Office to End Homelessness, and the Ending Street Homelessness sub-committee under the auspices of the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (Mpls DID).