More Funding Needed for Homeless Teens in Minn.  Updated:
03/23/2013 12:31 PM By: Mark Saxenmeyer  Gov. Dayton's budget
calls for a record $5 million to help support programs for teen
runaways and homeless youth in Minnesota.  That's up from just
$250,000 in the last budget.  Those enlisted in the battle to
stop homelessness say the money is desperately needed. They
point to the results of the latest Wilder Research Homeless
Survey that indicates the number of people experiencing
homelessness increased 6 percent from 2009 to 2012.  And of
those surveyed in the Twin Cities, 46 percent were under 21
years old.  Kevin Berry personifies those stats  Homeless at the
age of 19, he bounced around the homes of friends,
acquaintances, and distant relatives, always on the move.  "I
don't think i could ever build myself up to go to the shelters,"
he said. "I think it would have just brought me down worse that
i already was. I'd rather couch hop than go to a shelter."  Fast
forward four years and Kevin now lives in relat