Housing Support (formerly known as Group Residential Housing)

In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature approved a change that renamed the state’s Group Residential Housing (GRH) program. Effective 7/1/17, GRH is known as Housing Support. This change reflects the fact that not everyone receives this support in a group setting, but might live in their own home with a lease.

The Housing Support program provides help for housing costs for some people at risk of institutional placement or homelessness.

Program info
Eligibility
Benefits
Apply

Program info

The Housing Support program pays for room and board for seniors and adults with disabilities who have low incomes. The program aims to reduce and prevent people from living in institutions or becoming homeless.

Over 20,000 Minnesotans receive Housing Support assistance each month to help pay for rent and food. About 27% of program recipients also receive Housing Support supplemental service funding to provide other services, including but not limited to: medication reminders, assistance with transportation, arranging for meetings and appointments, and arranging for medical and social services.

Information for providers about rates for these programs is available on the Housing Support Payment Rates page.

Information on recent updates to Housing Support is available on the Housing Support and MSA Updates page.
Eligibility

You must meet a combination of eligibility requirements set by the Supplemental Security Income program or General Assistance program to qualify for assistance. There are also income and asset limits. Generally, the program serves:
- People 65 or older
- People younger than 65 who have a condition that limits their self-sufficiency. For example, it may be a physical or mental health disability, visual impairment or chemical dependency.
For more details, contact your county or tribal office (PDF).
Benefits

Your housing provider will receive payments to pay for your rent, utilities, food, household supplies and other necessities.

Effective July 1, 2017, the current maximum Housing Support housing payment is $904 per month. The amount for individual participants may vary.

Depending on your income, you may have to pay a portion of the Housing Support housing rate directly to your housing provider.

The program can pay for additional supportive services in some settings if you do not qualify for home and community-based waiver programs.
Apply

You can apply:
- Online at ApplyMN.dhs.mn.gov
- On paper using the Combined Application Form (DHS-5223) (PDF). Mail or bring the completed form to your county or tribal office (PDF).
If you apply online or using the paper application form, check that you are requesting "cash assistance." Write in the notes section that you are requesting Housing Support.

The Combined Application Form is also available in: