DEPARTMENT: Finance
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On 2026 Dakota County Housing Services
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on 2026 housing services.
SUMMARY
In 2021, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners convened the Housing Leadership Workgroup to assess outcomes of the County's Housing Business Plan and make recommendations for future housing initiatives and investments.
The workgroup was made up of faith leaders, law enforcement representatives, people who have experienced homelessness, nonprofit partners, Dakota County Commissioners, and staff from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and the County. The workgroup recommended investments in three main areas of the Dakota County Housing Business Plan: emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing.
Since 2021, the County has made investments in the housing services continuum using funding sources of levy, Affordable Housing Aid (AHA), and state and federal grants. Housing services are delivered by County staff and contracted service providers.
The 2026 County Manager's Recommended Budget includes continued investments in three investment areas - emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and housing stability. To meet the County's budget reduction targets, the 2026 County Manager's Recommended Budget includes a reduction of 3.5 full-time equivalents (FTE) and $556,000 in purchased services across the housing services continuum.
Staff will provide an overview of the housing services continuum, with a focus on emergency shelter for adults, and summarize how programs and service models are being adjusted to address community need, in context of reduced 2026 budget for FTE and contracted services. Staff will discuss plans for using data indicators to inform continued Housing Business Plan development and future budget planning.
OUTCOMES
The following is 2025 Year to Date (YTD) data on people served through the County-operated Em...
Click here for full text