Pete Hegseth Donates $12.9 Million to Combat Homelessness in Minneapolis
Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth has announced a personal donation of $12.9 million to establish homeless support centers in Minneapolis, his hometown. The contribution, drawn from his annual bonus, sponsorship earnings, and speaking fees, will fund the first phase of the Minneapolis Shelter & Hope Initiative, a multi-year effort aimed at addressing homelessness through permanent housing, emergency shelters, and comprehensive support services.
Standing before a crowded press conference in downtown Minneapolis, Hegseth spoke with emotion about his personal connection to the cause. Growing up in Forest Lake, he often witnessed people sleeping under bridges and in cars during brutal Minnesota winters. Later, his military service deepened his conviction that shelter is not a privilege, but a basic human need. “I’ve seen people try to survive the brutal Minnesota winters without a roof over their heads,” he said. “I promised myself years ago that if I ever had the chance, I’d step up. Today, I can finally do that. No one should have to sleep outside in that kind of cold.”
The initiative will create 150 permanent housing units and 300 emergency shelter beds, while also offering wraparound services designed to address the root causes of homelessness. Each facility will feature transitional housing for families and individuals, counseling and addiction treatment programs, workforce readiness and job training workshops, and a community kitchen providing free daily meals. For Hegseth, this is not simply a matter of charity but of empowerment. “This isn’t just about getting people through one winter,” he explained. “It’s about breaking the cycle of homelessness by offering tools, resources, and hope.”
The announcement sparked widespread praise throughout the city. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey hailed the donation as “a transformational gift that will change lives and set an example for others to follow.” Local organizations echoed the sentiment, calling the initiative a lifeline amid rising homelessness and shrinking budgets. Mary Jensen, director of the nonprofit ShelterWorks, said the funding would expand critical capacity and serve as a reminder that solving homelessness requires both leadership and compassion. Even some of Hegseth’s political critics acknowledged the significance of the act, with social media posts noting that regardless of ideology, this gesture exemplifies the power of using influence for good.
Hegseth emphasized that his role does not end with the check. He pledged to remain personally involved, from overseeing construction to volunteering at the centers once they open. He also issued a challenge to fellow public figures and business leaders, urging them to act in their own communities. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about humanity,” he said. “Cold doesn’t care who you voted for. Hunger doesn’t care what you believe. When someone is freezing on the street, we should all be on the same side.”
Construction on the first shelter is expected to begin within two months, with an ambitious goal of opening before the next Minnesota winter. Hegseth stressed the urgency of the project, insisting that every day of delay represents a risk to human lives. “Every day we wait is another day someone might not make it,” he said. “That’s not acceptable to me.”
For the hundreds of Minneapolis residents struggling with homelessness, Hegseth’s commitment offers more than just the promise of shelter—it offers dignity, opportunity, and a second chance. And for Hegseth himself, the true return on investment is not financial, but human: the chance to see his community become a place where no one is left out in the cold.
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