Sponsor: Housing Stability
Title
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Grant Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Division for the Emergency Services Program Grant
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Division for the Emergency Services Program Grant in the amount of $3,585,290.
2. Accept a grant and approve a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program for the period of September 16, 2025, through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $1,400,000.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
4. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county's procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
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Background and Rationale
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In March of 2023, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) division, awarded the Ramsey County Housing Stability Department (HSD) $650,000 for two separate programs: The Drop-In Center/Day Shelter Program (for warming centers) and the Outreach program (for the Shelter Entry and Diversion Program). For the 2025-2027 biennium, HSD was awarded $1.4 million for warming centers.
Ramsey County first introduced warming centers during the winter of 2022-2023 to provide shelter and essential resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. These centers served as a refuge from harsh weather conditions while also connecting guests to necessary services and referrals.
During the initial pilot season, five warming center locations operated from November 2022 through February 2023. Approximately 10,815 unduplicated individuals sought shelter during this period. Ramsey County fully managed and operated the warming centers during this first year. For the second season, ahead of winter 2023-2024, Ramsey County issued a competitive solicitation in August 2023 to identify providers to establish and manage the warming centers. However, due to an insufficient number of responses, no contracts were awarded. As a result, the county took full responsibility for operating the warming centers.
To secure external partners for the third season, Ramsey County released a follow-up Request for Proposal (RFP) in spring 2024. The goal was to collaborate with local organizations to coordinate, manage, and operate one or more warming centers for winter 2024-2025. During the third season, warming spaces were established at four locations:
1. The Holy Christian Cathedral Church - Women
2. Phalen Activity Center - Single adult males
3. Newell Park Building - Single adult males
4. St. Paul Reformation Lutheran Church - Families and youth (ages 18-24)
A total of 11,646 individuals were served through the warming centers program
In September of 2025, HSD will release a competitive solicitation for community providers to provide warming center services for the 2025-2026 winter season.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
? Well-being ? Prosperity ? Opportunity ? Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
HSD is committed to serving unsheltered Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), as this is the largest population affected by homelessness in Ramsey County. From a recent Ramsey County Board report in 2024, among those experiencing homelessness, 45% identified as African American, 17% as American Indian/Alaska Native, 36% as White, and 5% as Asian American.
In recent years, the department has brought on five new culturally specific organizations for the services of navigation, shelter, operations, and landlord engagement. These organizations include the American Indian Family Center (AIFC), CLUES, Model Cities, One Day At A Time, and Ain Dah Yung.
Community Participation Level and Impact
In recent years, HSD have conducted a series of listening sessions with unsheltered single persons and families. These conversations were held with individuals from several racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as individuals representing various sexual orientations. Through these conversations, the 'low barrier' concept for warming centers was developed. This idea allowed most everyone who visited or frequented the warming shelters not to be turned away based on any established organizational criteria or individually historical interactions. HSD has also incorporated the voices of two people with lived experience who are now a part of the Heading Home Ramsey (HHR) Systems Performance Management Workgroup, as well as the HSD Ranking Workgroup.
? Inform ? Consult ? Involve ? Collaborate ? Empower
Fiscal Impact
Of the $1,400,000 to be received, $140,000 (10%) will be retained by the Ramsey County Housing Stability department for administrative oversight, with the remaining $1,260,000 being allocated toward the warming centers. Funds will be moved to a grant fund and will be allocated through the life of the grant (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027).
Last Previous Action
On November 21, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity for Direct Emergency Services (Resolution B2023-203).
On October 10, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity for the Emergency Services Program (Resolution B2023-173).
Attachments
1. Minnesota Department of Human Services Emergency Services Program Grant Agreement|1010|
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