In this edition:
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February 5 MICH webinar explores impact of state investments in housing and homelessness
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Minnesota Department of Health Vaccination Clinics for Congregate Settings program ends on May 31
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Upcoming grant opportunities through the Department of Human Services
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Applications open for Inclusion Consultant opportunity with the Olmstead Implementation Office
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Thank you Point-in-Time Count volunteers!
- Crossroads to Justice: Implementation Consultant Jessica Rose on collaborating with the Department of Public Safety
Be sure to join the next monthly webinar tomorrow Wednesday, February 5 from 1 - 2 p.m. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email dan.gregory@state.mn.us
On the February 5 webinar, hear about the impact of state investments made over the last two legislative sessions to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Topics include the Bring It Home rental assistance from the Metropolitan Council, the Emergency Services Program from the Department of Human Services, and programs to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence from the Department of Public Safety.
The funding for the COVID-19 community coordinators (CCC) vaccination program is ending on May 31, 2025. CCCs are community-based organizations that connect Minnesota’s diverse communities to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and other resources. Through this program, CCCs provide vaccination clinics in community settings, including congregate settings across Minnesota.
If you are interested in hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for your program before the funding ends, please complete the Vaccination Event Request Form for Congregate Settings: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e576ad6ce41340089044c854a5934bf1
For questions about COVID-19 vaccination clinics, contact riley.menagh@state.mn.us.
The Grant Program Team (GPT) of the Homelessness Housing and Support Services Administration (HHSSA) at the Department of Human Services (DHS) anticipates publishing four competitive request for proposals (RFPs) February-March 2025 for July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, funding. Below is a summary of upcoming funding opportunities, and (once published) more information will be available on the DHS Grants and RFPs website.
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Community Living Infrastructure (CLI) Grant: Approximately $5M available to counties, Tribal Nations, multi-Tribal collaboratives, and multi-county social service collaboratives. Funds are intended to develop and integrate housing resources into local human service delivery systems across the state, as well as to expand the operations of the Housing Support program statewide through local government agencies.
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Housing Access Services (HAS) Grant: Approximately $950,000 available to public and private agencies to support individuals with disabilities or disabling conditions access housing.
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Emergency Services Program (ESP) Grant: Approximately $20M available to non-profit organizations, local units of government, and/or Tribal Nations to provide emergency shelter, drop-in/day shelter or street outreach for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
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Homeless Youth Act Facilities Funding: Approximately $2M available to non-profit organizations, local units of government, and/or Tribal Nations currently receiving Homeless Youth Act funding. Facilities funding is intended to support minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness.
Look for a formal announcement and application guidelines in upcoming MICH newsletters.
Questions? Contact Katelyn Warburton at katelyn.warburton@state.mn.us
The Olmstead Implementation Office is working with the Dendros Group to support consultants with lived experience of disability. Lived experience of disability includes people with disabilities, family, friends, and caregivers.
Dendros will select, train, and support 17 to 23 individuals to work as Inclusion Consultants. These consultants will work closely with state agency staff to create the next Olmstead Plan.
Thank you to all of the providers and volunteers who managed the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, and a special appreciation to all those facing homelessness who participated!
What is the PIT Count, and who was one of the special volunteers? Find out more on our Instagram post!
Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH), bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.
The implementation of this plan is being co-led and co-monitored by 14 paid Implementation Consultants, all people with lived experience of homelessness representing different experiences and different parts of the state. They were onboarded in April, chose agencies to support in May, and their expertise and priorities are shaping the daily work of state agencies.
Jessica Rose works in community action and has a rich background in research and advocacy. Her comprehensive understanding of housing issues and her personal journey from homelessness to homeownership underscores her commitment to empowering others to achieve self-sufficiency and secure stable housing. She is well-versed in Minnesota landlord-tenant law and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and has completed extensive training in fair housing, domestic violence, trauma-informed care, and the importance of resiliency. As a single mother of three, Jessica balances her professional life with her personal passions for self-education, local history, and civic engagement. Jessica Rose grew up outside of the metro area and currently lives in a small town in rural Minnesota. Her home is a vibrant, multi-generational space where she lives with her children, mother, nephew, and three cats.
Jessica’s reflections on working with the Department of Public Safety (DPS)
“I understand firsthand the struggles faced by survivors of domestic violence. Having experienced homelessness twice with my children due to fleeing domestic violence, I am proud to be working with the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Office of Justice Programs (OJP), who understand that securing housing is critical in survivors’ safety and healing. DPS has invited me to Survivors and Housing Workgroup meetings where we have discussed two essential programs: Domestic Violence Housing First and Transitional Housing for survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence. Through these programs, OJP’s grantees are serving survivors through rental assistance and financial assistance in ways they haven’t been able to before.
The SA/DV Transitional Housing program is designed to meet survivors where they are at, having fewer restrictions than many other programs and emphasizing survivor autonomy. DV Housing First has survivor-driven, trauma-informed mobile advocacy, flexible financial assistance, and advocate community engagement. This approach prioritizes survivor choice and recognizes that surviving trauma can be expensive in a variety of ways. The flexible funding can cover costs often excluded from traditional programs.
As a survivor and a service provider, I truly believe the work DPS is doing to ensure that those fleeing violence have safe housing will not only change lives, but save lives as well.”
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