Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

Financial Assistance Services (FAS) partners with a range of community providers to help people experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk for homelessness. FAS manages the Coordinated Entry System for families seeking emergency shelter, operates the Cold Weather Hotel Program for families, and supports the Winter Safe Space emergency shelter for single adults. FAS, along with the Health and Wellness Administration, provides staffing and administrative support to Heading Home Ramsey 

In 2018, FAS began an innovative partnership with Housing Court where financial workers are on-site at Housing Court to assist people facing eviction. Households can apply and be approved for Emergency Assistance/Emergency General Assistance while at Court and be connected with ongoing financial support to prevent eviction.

Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program. Heading Home Ramsey administers Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) funds from the State of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. FHPAP funds street outreach, assistance to avoid eviction, transitional housing and rapid rehousing programs, and other services. FHPAP aims to prevent homelessness, reduce the length of time people spend homeless, and eliminate repeat episodes of homelessness.

Housing Supports, formerly known as Group Residential Housing (GRH), pays for room and board for seniors and adults with disabilities who have low income who may otherwise live in an institution or become homeless. FAS provides intake and case management services for Housing Supports. Landlords/property owners interested in becoming a Housing Supports provider can find information here under Information for Landlords.

FHPAP serves families at-risk for homelessness or experiencing homelessness. Black and American Indian families are more likely to experience homelessness than others in our community, and in a much greater proportion than their representation in the total Ramsey County population.

Overall, Housing Supports participation has increased by 10% since 2015, while participation by people ages 55 and older has increased by 27%. As Baby Boomers age, Ramsey County an communities across the country will see increased need for housing support for elderly people with disabilities.