Human Services

Group Residential Housing Grants

Statewide Outcome(s):

Group Residential Housing Grants supports the following statewide outcome(s).

Minnesotans are healthy.

Strong and stable families and communities.

Context:

Group Residential Housing (GRH) is a state-funded income supplement program that pays for room and board costs for low-income adults who have been placed in a licensed or registered setting. GRH Grants assist individuals who have illnesses or disabilities, including developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, chemical dependency, physical disabilities, advanced age, or brain injuries, to prevent or reduce institutionalization or homelessness. Approximately 16 percent of GRH recipients are seniors, and those who are younger than 65 years of age all have a combination of factors that limit their self-sufficiency. Without GRH, program recipients likely would be in institutional placements or homeless.

In FY 2011, an average of 18,200 people received GRH payments each month. The average monthly GRH payment per person was $530. The GRH program is funded with state general fund dollars and receives some federal funding for food and nutrition costs.

Strategies:

GRH provides an income supplement used to cover room and board and other necessary housing-related services for aged, blind, ill or disabled individuals to prevent or reduce homelessness and institutional residence. Without this aid, program recipients would likely be in institutional placements or homeless.

·         Participants are encouraged to seek earned income opportunities.

·         Individuals who also receive General Assistance are required to apply for federal Supplemental Security Income.

The Department of Human Services works with counties, tribes, residential housing service providers, community agencies, and other state agencies, including the Department of Health and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to deliver these services. Counties contract with GRH facilities to establish the monthly room & board rate.

Results:

An increase in the number of GRH recipients who are no longer homeless indicates an improvement in the prevention and reduction of homelessness. Performance trends are impacted by the availability of affordable housing in the community, general community economic health, and the availability of employment opportunities.

Performance Measures Notes:

Information regarding GRH recipients who are no longer homeless is based on department data on individuals receiving Housing First housing with services. Housing First is a national model that provides housing and support services to maintain an individual’s housing. Comparison years are December 2010 (Previous) and December 2011 (Current).