Housing programs and services

These grants provide funding to counties and Tribal Nations to integrate housing into local health and human services systems.

This program provides short-term housing assistance to people with a serious mental illness who are receiving inpatient or residential mental health care or substance use disorder treatment for 90 days or less. Learn more at arcminnesota.org.

Emergency Services Program (ESP) is a grant program that funds emergency homeless shelters and street outreach programs to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Funds can support staffing, operations, and service expenses associated with operating an overnight or daytime shelter, and/or street outreach program. 

The program funds rapid rehousing, and the operating and support service costs of shelter programs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates these funds to the department, which awards funds to local agencies through a competitive application process on a biennial basis.

Housing Access Services (HAS) is a grant program that helps individuals with disabilities or disabling conditions move into their own homes in the least restrictive setting. It provides financial assistance for application fees, deposits, furnishings, and household items, along with personalized support to find and access housing of choice.

Through this program, funding is provided for outreach and drop-in programs, emergency shelter programs, and integrated supportive housing for homeless youth and youth at-risk of homelessness.

Housing with Supports for Adults with Serious Mental Illness (HSASMI) provides supportive services for adults with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder, who are homeless or exiting institutions, and who have complex needs and face high barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing.

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) supports outreach and case management services for people with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder, and who are experiencing homelessness to meet their basic needs and obtain housing.

Long-term homeless supportive services fund (LTHSSF) provides supportive services to help adults, families and youth who are experiencing long-term homelessness find and maintain housing.

This program delivers specialized program services to youth victims of sexual exploitation through emergency shelter, supportive housing, specialized foster care and outreach. Read more.

This program increases access to mental health services for youth residing in a Safe Harbor or Homeless Youth Act shelter or housing program.

This program provides time-limited rental assistance and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.

This helps people at risk of homelessness who are leaving Minnesota correctional facilities find and keep housing. Learn more on the Bridging Benefits webpage.

On Aug. 1, 2025, DHS announced that it was moving to terminate the Housing Stabilization Services program. Learn more in this HSS termination FAQ for providers and clients.

Housing Stabilization Services is a Minnesota Medical Assistance benefit to help people with disabilities, including mental illness and substance use disorder, and seniors find and keep housing.

People with disabilities often need support to live successfully in the community. Affordable housing is not always enough; challenges such as mental illness and developmental disabilities can make it difficult for someone to find housing, budget, interact with landlords and neighbors, and understand the rules of a lease.

However, that support has often been unavailable. With the right supports, provided by a professional with knowledge and experience in housing, more people can be successful. This is where Housing Stabilization Services can help.

Find out more at HB101.

DHS in partnership with Minnesota Housing subsidizes rental units for persons under 62 who meet certain eligibility rules. Find out more at the Minnesota Housing website.

GA helps Minnesotans with little or no income meet their basic needs

Housing Support (previously known as Group Residential Housing, or GRH) is a state-funded income supplement that pays up to $1,192 per month in group settings and $1,242 per month in community settings for housing and food costs as of July 1, 2025.

MSA is income supplement for people who are eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits

Social Security advocates help people with disabilities apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI).

DHS contracts with agencies throughout the state to help children and adults apply for Social Security disability benefits.