Sponsor: Housing Stability
Title
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Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Heading Home Ramsey Coordinated Entry Continuum of Care Planning Grant
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Recommendation
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1. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Heading Home Ramsey Coordinated Entry Continuum of Care lead agency planning, upon execution through August 31, 2027, in the amount of $181,360.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement, with revisions as approved by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
3. 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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Ramsey County Housing Stability utilizes this grant funding to support two Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff dedicated to Coordinated Entry for Youth and Singles (CEYS) Priority List Management. CEYS serves youth and single adults experiencing homelessness by coordinating access to the Coordinated Entry system and supporting connections to appropriate housing resources.
Grant-funded staff assist individuals with accessing CEYS assessment entry points, determining eligibility, completing new and updated Coordinated Entry assessments, and identifying and documenting housing needs. Staff also assist participants with required documentation, navigate potential mainstream housing options, coordinate housing referrals and potential matches with CEYS Priority List Managers and provider partners, and support Housing Support principles and client advocacy with community providers. In addition, staff maintain and update participant information in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to support accurate and timely Coordinated Entry processes. Recently, this work has expanded to include working in partnership with other Ramsey County staff serving encampment residents.
These activities strengthen Ramsey County's capacity to manage the CEYS Priority List and facilitate timely, coordinated connections between youth and single adults experiencing homelessness and available housing resources. This also aligns with the county’s operational excellence strategic priority of Resident-Centered Holistic Supports.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County continues to experience significant racial disparities in homelessness. The 2024 Heading Home Ramsey Needs Assessment found that Black, African American, or African residents comprise approximately 13.7% of Ramsey County's population but account for 40.4% of people experiencing homelessness. American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous residents and multiracial residents are also disproportionately represented among people experiencing homelessness.
Housing Stability is committed to reducing these disparities by ensuring equitable access to Coordinated Entry and housing resources for populations disproportionately impacted by homelessness. The CEYS Priority List Management team supports this work by assisting youth and single adults with Coordinated Entry assessments, documentation, housing navigation, referrals, and connections to housing and supportive services.
Community Participation Level and Impact
As a part of the 2026 needs assessment, groups used in the assessment were youth (ages 18-24), single adults, and families. Qualitative interviews were also conducted with key informants, providers, and clients or households participating in housing programs. As a result, six themes were generated describing the present state of the Continuum of Care (CoC) and demonstrating differences in experiences and perceptions. These themes and findings will be used in the upcoming strategic planning for Housing Stability to attain greater equity and inclusion in the CoC.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The $181,360 grant award will be used to support the CEYS Program. The funding is not included in the 2026 Housing Stability budget and will be budgeted for as a grant in 2026. There will be no impact to the levy.
Last Previous Action
On September 16, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a grant agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care Planning Grant (Resolution B2025-169).
Attachments
1. Ramsey County 2026 HUD Continuum of Care Grant - HHR CE Grant Agreement