Supportive Housing

Housing Support, formerly known as Group Residential Housing (GRH), is a state-funded income supplement to help older adults and people with disabilities who have low incomes pay for their housing expenses. In order to prevent and/or reduce homelessness or institutionalization and promote housing stability, Housing Support provides financial support for rent, utilities, household needs, food, and services for eligible individuals.

Housing Support is authorized when the:

1. Person is eligible to receive Housing Support
2. Provider has an active Housing Support Agreement with the county or tribe
3. Place satisfies all settings requirements (i.e., lease, applicable licensure or registration, completed habitability inspections)

A person is eligible to receive Housing Support room/board if they:

1. are age 18 or older with a certified disability or disabling condition or are age 65 or older
2. have low income and low assets
3. reside in a setting authorized by the county or tribe with a Housing Support Agreement

To qualify to receive Housing Support supplemental services, a person must also require assistance in two of the following four areas:

1. Tenancy supports (Example: maintaining tenant responsibilities, conflict negotiation, etc.)
2. Supportive services (example: budgeting, cooking, cleaning, hygiene, monitoring of overall well-being, etc.)
3. Employment supports (Example: find and maintain job)
4. Health supervision services (Example: Ensuring medication accessibility, assistance with scheduling appointments, etc.)

The Housing Support provider does not need to be the one providing these services, rather the provider assists residents to get their needs met- sometimes providing services and other times referring and coordinating care for individuals.

Housing Support is used in 2 different types of settings

Group Housing Support Settings

For Group Housing Support settings, a Minnesota Department of Human Services or Minnesota Department of Health License or Registration is required (unless it is tribe-certified housing). In these settings, meals are provided on-site and four or more people can reside at the approved location. Some examples of Group Housing Support settings include:

• Adult Foster Care
• Assisted Living
• Board and Lodge

In some Assisted Livings and Board and Lodges, Supplemental Services are offered. Supplemental services are only authorized in certain settings. Supplemental services include, but are not limited to, oversight and up to 24-hour supervision, medication reminders, assistance with transportation, arranging for meetings and appointments, arranging for medical and social services, and connecting people to the supplemental services identified in the Professional Statement of Need (DHS-7122). Additional services may be covered if authorized in statute for a specific residence or category of housing.

For a list of North and South SLC Board and Lodges, click here: North and South BL LIST

Community-Based Housing Support Settings

In Community-Based Housing Support settings, residents must sign a lease and submit a Habitability Inspection (DHS-7123) with each Housing Support application, and a person typically receives food support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Providers ensure that clients have access to some type of supportive service to maintain housing stability. People may live in scattered-site or site-based programs. Some examples of these types of settings include:

• Supportive Housing
• Long-term Homeless Supportive Housing

In some Community-Based Housing Support settings (mainly LTH Supportive Housing in SLC), Supplemental Services are offered. Supplemental services are only authorized in certain settings. Supplemental services include, but are not limited to, oversight and up to 24-hour supervision, medication reminders, assistance with transportation, arranging for meetings and appointments, arranging for medical and social services, and connecting people to the supplemental services identified in the Professional Statement of Need (DHS-7122). Additional services may be covered if authorized in statute for a specific residence or category of housing.

For a list of Community-Based providers, please click here: North and South LTH LIST

Housing Support is used in 2 different types of settings

Group Housing Support Settings

For Group Housing Support settings, a Minnesota Department of Human Services or Minnesota Department of Health License or Registration is required (unless it is tribe-certified housing). In these settings, meals are provided on-site and four or more people can reside at the approved location. Some examples of Group Housing Support settings include:

• Adult Foster Care
• Assisted Living
• Board and Lodge

In some Assisted Livings and Board and Lodges, Supplemental Services are offered. Supplemental services are only authorized in certain settings. Supplemental services include, but are not limited to, oversight and up to 24-hour supervision, medication reminders, assistance with transportation, arranging for meetings and appointments, arranging for medical and social services, and connecting people to the supplemental services identified in the Professional Statement of Need (DHS-7122). Additional services may be covered if authorized in statute for a specific residence or category of housing.

For a list of North and South SLC Board and Lodges, click here: North and South BL LIST

Community-Based Housing Support Settings

In Community-Based Housing Support settings, residents must sign a lease and submit a Habitability Inspection (DHS-7123) with each Housing Support application, and a person typically receives food support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Providers ensure that clients have access to some type of supportive service to maintain housing stability. People may live in scattered-site or site-based programs. Some examples of these types of settings include:

• Supportive Housing
• Long-term Homeless Supportive Housing

In some Community-Based Housing Support settings (mainly LTH Supportive Housing in SLC), Supplemental Services are offered. Supplemental services are only authorized in certain settings. Supplemental services include, but are not limited to, oversight and up to 24-hour supervision, medication reminders, assistance with transportation, arranging for meetings and appointments, arranging for medical and social services, and connecting people to the supplemental services identified in the Professional Statement of Need (DHS-7122). Additional services may be covered if authorized in statute for a specific residence or category of housing.

For a list of Community-Based providers, please click here: North and South LTH LIST

If you are interested in becoming a Housing Support provider

1. Contact the Housing Support Programs Team (HSPT) at 218.726.2120 or email HousingSupportPrograms@StLouisCountyMN.gov

2. Attend the Housing Support Provider Orientation Part I held virtually on September 11^th from 1-3pm to learn more about the Housing Support program, provider requirements, program policies and priorities. 

   • Email The HSPT for a meeting invite. 

   • An overview of next steps will be discussed at this meeting

3. This will be the final time applications will be accepted in 2025.  The next orientation/opportunity to apply will not be until early 2026

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If your complaint is concerning Housing Support services:

Individuals are encouraged to first bring complaints or areas of concern directly to the provider as soon as possible. Individuals may also report concerns to the PHHS Housing Support Programs Team (HSPT) via Housing Support Complaint Form, email (HousingSupportPrograms@StLouisCountyMN.Gov ), or telephone (218-726-2120).

If the individual(s) does not feel comfortable bringing the concern to the attention of the provider, they may notify the HSPT. The HSPT:

1. 1. may re-direct the individual back to the provider to resolve the issue at the lowest level and follow the program’s grievance policy and procedures.
   2. may look into the complaint and initiate a meeting with the Provider and individual with the complaint in attempts to come to a resolution.

If this is concerning tenant/landlord rights, please contact:

Justice North: 877-696-6529

HOME Line: 866-866-3546

Tenant Landlord Connection:  218-727-5372

If you are concerned about a safety issue, please contact:

911

988 (for Emotional or Mental Health Support)

MN Adult Abuse Reporting Center: 1-844-880-1574

MN Day One Crisis Line (domestic violence, trafficking, or sexual violence): 1-866-223-1111

Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA):  218-726-1931

If you are concerned about the condition of the unit/facility, please contact:

Life Safety (City of Duluth): 218-730-4380

Virginia (property complaints): 218-748-7500

MDH: 1-800-383-9808