Crisis Housing Assistance Program for people with a serious mental illness, Funded through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Adult Mental Health Division and Administered by The Arc Minnesota
The Crisis Housing Assistance Fund is a flexible pool of money to provide short-term housing assistance for persons with a serious mental illness whose income is being used to pay for an inpatient or residential treatment of 90 days or less.
The State of Minnesota identifies a serious mental illness diagnosis as one “that seriously limits a person's capacity to function in primary aspects of daily living such as personal relations, living arrangements, work, and recreation
The goal of this program is to help individuals remain in their home while seeking treatment for up to 90 days in a licensed facility. Funding can only be used for current rent, utilities, garbage, water/sewer, and phone (up to $70 per month).
Eligibility:
Individual must be seeking treatment in one of the following capacities
o In-Patient or Residential Mental Health Care
o Inpatient or Residential Substance Use Disorder Care (must provide documentation of Severe Mental Illness)
o Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
The following must be included with your application:
Proof of income (screenshot of participants bank account information and the screenshot of direct deposit from employment, unemployment , SSI payment, SSDI payment, etc) with identifying information.
A budget detailing expenses and who to pay must be included when submitting an application.
A letter from a medical professional or documentation detailing diagnosis must be provided with your application that the applicant is receiving treatment for a serious mental illness who is receiving hospital level psychiatric treatment or Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
Crisis Housing Assistance Program-Release of Information (arcminnesota.org)
Funds can only be used while seeking treatment.
Funds will not be paid directly to the applicant. All payments will be made directly to the landlord, utility service or phone company. You will need to provide information as to whom to pay, address and include account numbers for services.
Funds only cover the retention of the applicants current housing.
Once a completed application is received, you will be contacted.
Payment will be made when eligibility is verified and all documents are submitted.
For more information or assistance, please contact:
Wendy Gerlach
wendygerlach@arcminnesota.org
Phone#: 952-915-3698
Fax#: 952-522-3604
Microgrant Guidelines
- Individual Grants range from $100-$2,000
- Grants are for employment OR housing goals
- This program is not for emergency situations as it may take up to 45 days to receive a response from us
- Grants are not guaranteed. This program is very popular and we do not have funds to approve all applications received.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) funds the program through The Arc Minnesota. The Arc Minnesota is a non-profit organization which promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. People with disabilities and their families trust The Arc Minnesota for information, assistance, education, and public policy leadership.
Details
- Microgrants should not replace other resources (ex: Transitional Funding)
- Applications will be accepted from individuals with disabilities, their staff, family, friends or supporters
- Only one microgrant per year can be received
- Microgrant staff will make all purchases. We do not send money to applicants.
- Microgrants may NOT be used for
-vacations
-monthly rent
-monthly bills
- cars
- As of September 1, 2023: we are no longer able to purchase mattresses from online sites. If you are requesting a mattress, please select one in person from Slumberland to eliminate any returns. Thank you!
How to Apply
If possible, applicants should complete a microgrant application through this website. The online application is accessible to people with visual disabilities using screen reading software.
Please contact us if you:
- Would like a paper application mailed to you. We have applications in English, Hmong, Spanish and Somali.
- Would like to make an appointment for someone to help you with the application over the phone
Contact us: microgrants@arcminnesota.org or 952-920-0855
All applications should include detailed information about your project.
Be sure to tell us
- what you want to do
- why you want to do it
- how you plan to get it done
- what items you need to get it done (provide as many details as possible including cost)
- how you will know if you are successful
You can start your application and come back to it later. Just scroll down to the end and click "Save Draft". Nothing will be submitted until you click "Apply".
Review Process
Representatives of The Arc Minnesota and a review panel that includes community members and self-advocates will help decide which applications to approve.
They will look for:
- Significance
-Is the plan related to employment OR housing? It cannot be be for both.
- Action plan
-Is the plan well thought out?
-Will the items purchased help the applicant be successful with their plan?
- Likelihood of success
-Is this plan doable?
-Will the plan make a difference?
If detailed information, especially on the items you would like to receive, is not included, your application may be returned to you immediately so you can complete it. We cannot review applications that do not list items requested and their prices etc.
People who get a grant will be encouraged to share their story and complete a follow-up survey. Stories help ensure future funding, and surveys help us improve the program.