GRH Housing and Housing Stabilization Services
Providing services to people experiencing homelessness. MNCCS began providing Housing Supports in 2016 and today has Housing Support contracts for 150 scattered site units in four counties, as well as the ability to provide Housing Stabilization Services through insurance. Our agency is experienced with all aspects of Housing Support, including outreach, transition, and tenancy sustainment. The majority of our Housing Supports participants are people experiencing long-term homelessness who are referred by county Coordinated Entry systems. More than half have been people with a primary disability of serious and persistent mental illness or co-occurring SPMI and SUD. MNCCS has also served small numbers of families as well as people with corrections histories, prior evictions, and other barriers. MNCCS has been able to help people with these housing barriers establish and sustain safe and affordable housing in apartments of their choice. We ensure that each potential participant has a Professional Statement of Need to verify that the person is eligible for the Housing Support base rate and verify long-term homelessness via Coordinated Entry where applicable. MNCCS’ Housing Support experience includes (1) identification, engagement, assessment, and access to needed services to stabilize the client and prepare for tenancy; (2) tenant screening and housing assessment, development of an individualized Housing Support Plan, assistance with the housing search and application process, habitability inspection, occupancy assistance, moving assistance, and development of a Housing Support Crisis Plan; and (3) tenancy sustaining services including ongoing monthly assessment to identify and intervene in behaviors that may jeopardize housing plus continuing tenancy education and advocacy. We assist each person in accessing three meals a day via the method that best meets their needs (most commonly buying groceries and cooking at home) and provide consultation, referrals, and navigation assistance to help the person access relevant benefits and resources to meet their basic needs, as well as to work toward personal goals of their choice. ARMHS services are also available for qualifying individuals who need this level of rehabilitative mental health support. MNCCS has found that people with a medical need for ARMHS are much more stable in housing with this support. We employ a Housing First approach rooted in harm reduction.
