DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Apply For Department Of Human Services Innovation Grant Funds
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize application for Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Innovation grant funds.
SUMMARY
According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, people with disabilities experience homelessness at a rate that is two and half times higher than that of the overall population in the United States. This disparity is driven by a shortage of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing options, as well as the complex navigation required to secure such housing.
Demand for Dakota County’s emergency shelter exceeds available capacity and current referral data shows that requests for shelter are double the number of beds available. Without targeted assistance, these residents may remain in shelter longer, experience worsening health and instability, and are at higher risk of using crisis systems in the future. Dakota County operates two emergency shelters, one for families and one for single adults. Dakota County’s single’s shelter consistently serves people with disabilities who need support with housing navigation.
Dakota County is seeking state funding through the DHS Innovation Grant to help cover the costs of housing search and short-term support services for single adults with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness and staying in emergency shelter. This project will provide individualized, disability-informed and culturally responsive assistance to residents with disabilities who are eligible to receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and (or) Housing Support funding and who may face barriers to securing stable housing, including limited income, accessibility needs, and difficulty navigating complex housing systems.
This funding would allow Dakota County to deliver services to approximately 50-60 clients annually within the emergency shelter program, removing barriers to housing and speeding up the transition process from shelter to permanent housing for people with disabilities, leading to successful placements in stable housing, and improved long-term housing retention.
DHS released a two-part request for proposal on January 6, 2026, with a letter of interest due January 27, 2026, and a full proposal due March 25, 2026. DHS is notifying applicants March 4, 2026, if they are invited to submit a full proposal for a two-year term starting July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. If invited to submit a full proposal, Dakota County’s will be for an amount up to $210,000 and include Indirect/Administrative costs at the grant maximum allowed level of 10 percent.
OUTCOMES
Through the use of the 2026 Innovation Grant funds, the following are goals and outcomes that will be tracked:
• Faster transitions from shelter to permanent housing for people with disabilities and low incomes
• Serve 50-60 clients annually
• Increase housing stability for adults with disabilities
• Reduce reliance on crisis systems
• A more coordinated and person-centered housing navigation model
• Data-driven improvements to county homelessness services
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization of an application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Innovation Grant funds in an amount up to $210,000 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, people with disabilities experience homelessness at a rate that is two and half times higher than that of the overall population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, this disparity is driven by a shortage of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing options, as well as the complex navigation required to secure such housing; and
WHEREAS, demand for Dakota County’s emergency shelter exceeds available capacity and current referral data shows that requests for shelter are double the number of beds available; and
WHEREAS, without targeted assistance, these residents may remain in shelter longer, experience worsening health and instability, and are at higher risk of using crisis systems in the future; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County operates two emergency shelters, one for families and one for single adults; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County’s single’s shelter consistently serves people with disabilities who need support with housing navigation; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is seeking state funding through the Department of Human Services (DHS) Innovation Grant to help cover the costs of housing search and short-term support services for single adults with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness and staying in emergency shelter; and
WHEREAS, this project will provide individualized, disability-informed and culturally responsive assistance to residents with disabilities who are eligible to receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Housing Support funding and who may face barriers to securing stable housing, including limited income, accessibility needs, and difficulty navigating complex housing systems; and
WHEREAS, this funding would allow Dakota County to deliver services to approximately 50-60 clients annually within the emergency shelter program, removing barriers to housing and speeding up the transition process from shelter to permanent housing for people with disabilities, leading to successful placements in stable housing, and improved long-term housing retention; and
WHEREAS, DHS released a two-part request for proposal January 6, 2026, with a letter of interest due January 27, 2026, and a full proposal due March 25, 2026; and
WHEREAS, DHS is notifying applicants March 4, 2026, if they are invited to submit a full proposal for a two year term starting July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028; and
WHEREAS, if invited to submit a full proposal, Dakota County’s will be for an amount up to $210,000 and include Indirect/Admin costs at the grant maximum allowed level of 10 percent.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Assistant County Manager to submit an application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Innovation Grant funds in an amount up to $210,000 for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Chelsea Lorenz