ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced over $100 million in state grants will be awarded to organizations serving Minnesotans facing homelessness. The money is supporting a number of services including street outreach, shelter, and harm reduction for drug users.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services awarded four sets of grants to support Minnesotans experiencing homelessness late last year, after a streamlined application process. Governor Walz and the Minnesota Legislature approved the funding during the 2023 session.

Funds went to 135 organizations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Greater Minnesota, reaching people experiencing homelessness in all 87 counties.

“Housing is one of the most foundational human needs, yet, across the state thousands of people struggle to find and maintain stable housing,” said Governor Walz. “Addressing the issue of homelessness is a top priority, and this funding is a major step in the right direction. The 135 organizations receiving state grants are meeting people where they’re at to get them on their feet. Whether providing hot meals, chemical health assessment and treatment, or shelter space, their services are vital. Together we are making real strides to end homelessness in Minnesota.”

“Housing is more than a roof over head. It’s health, safety, and a springboard for opportunity, and every Minnesotan deserves a safe place to call home,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “That’s why this funding is so important. Spread between 135 organizations across Minnesota, these grants will ensure that everyone can access the supports they need to find and secure safe, stable housing. Together with DHS we are continuing towards our mission of preventing and ending homelessness.”

“Each Minnesotan who is homeless has their own unique needs,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “Awarding grants to a wide variety of organizations helps ensure services will be there to meet the needs.”

Funds will support projects including:

• Involve MN, Hennepin and Ramsey counties. This funding will support an outreach team delivering hot meals 365 days a year for lunch and dinner to people in encampments and temporary living spaces in the Twin Cities.
• Mille Lacs Band, Mille Lacs. This grant will support the operation of a Tribal government day shelter in a recently remodeled space to provide access to services like showers, laundry and meals, as well as housing search support, case management for employment, culturally specific services and other resources.
• Southside Harm Reduction Services, Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The grantees provide harm reduction services via outreach to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who use drugs, primarily in or near Minneapolis and St. Paul. Services include syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, education, rapid HIV testing and referrals to social services including housing.
• The StreetWorks Outreach Collaborative, Twin Cities metropolitan area. Administered by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in collaboration with several other youth-serving organizations, this program provides street outreach services in locations throughout the Twin Cities. They promote harm reduction by providing safer-use supplies to youth who are using drugs. They also provide opioid overdose prevention and response trainings to services providers and youth in the community.
• Chum and Human Development Center, Duluth/St. Louis County. The funds will support more street outreach capacity in Duluth with people who are unsheltered on the streets, in the woods or living in encampments. These connections can help ensure their safety and access to services, direct people to mental and/or chemical health assessment and treatment, discuss their involvement with law enforcement and address other issues.

About 55% of the grant funds will go to services in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with the remaining 45% supporting Greater Minnesota.

Learn more about how DHS is addressing homelessness in its Homelessness in Minnesota fact sheet.