Housing Stabilization Services

If the individual was unable to acquire a waiver, targeted case management, or MSHO/MSC+ care coordinator but still requires housing stabilization services, they can complete the person-centered planning needed through an enrolled housing consultant. The enrolled housing consultant can develop a Housing Focused Person-Centered Plan (DHS-7307) and support them in selecting their housing transition or sustaining provider.

The following are the services covered in our housing consultation services:

• Help in accessing requirements for housing stabilization services
• Development of a housing-focused person-centered plan based on the outcomes of the assessment
• Aid in identifying strengths, needs, and preferences concerning housing
• Guiding the participant in making informed decisions in the housing transition or sustaining provider
• Providing information for services that support non-housing related goals as established in the person-centered planning process
• Working with other service providers, that’s also working with the client
• Help clients understand their rights to privacy and appeal information
• Updating the housing-related part of the person-centered plan yearly

The following are the restrictions to the housing consultation services:

• This service is not available to individuals who receive Medical Assistance-funded case management, including home and community-based waiver case management. This is also not available to those with targeted case management, including Adult Mental Health, Children’s Mental Health, MSHO/MSC+ care coordination, Vulnerable Adult/Developmental Disability, and Child Welfare and Relocation Service Coordination.
• The individual can acquire housing consultation and housing transition or sustaining service from the same provider without an exception approval from the DHS.
• It is required that the house the client will be living in or transitioning to meets the home and community-based services (HCBS) setting requirements and must not be a community residential setting or foster care. However, housing consultation services can be provided in any setting in the community if the person is moving into a new home setting that meets the HCBS setting requirements.
• Those living in a care institution will not be billed until they transition to the home that meets HCBS setting requirements.
• Consultations services must not exceed one session per year unless…
  • Requesting for an update to their housing-focused person-centered plan
  • Requiring a new plan because of unexpected housing changes
  • Wanting to change their housing transition/sustaining provider

Our professionals can assist the individual in planning, finding, and moving into their new home in the community. Our housing transition services cover the following:

• Creating a housing transition plan
• Assisting the individual in applying for benefits to support their housing
• Aiding the individual in finding the right housing and supporting them in the application process
• Helping with tenant screening and assessments
• Offering transportation and discussing housing-related issues
• Assisting the individual in developing a budget
• Assisting individuals in negotiating their lease
• Supporting the individual in meeting and establishing a relationship with prospective landlords or property managers
• Aiding individuals in finding the funding for their deposits
• Assisting individuals in organizing their transition
• Researching possible and appropriate housing options
• Getting in touch with landlords or property managers for every housing option
• Finding the resources to pay for home goods
• Finding the resources to cover moving expenses
• Completing housing applications for the individual
• Finding services and benefits that can support the individual with housing instability
• Ensuring the living arrangement is safe and ready for the individual’s transition
• Arranging all assistive equipment needed
• Arranging all the adaptive house-related accommodations needed

The housing transition services do not cover the following:

• Deposits
• Food
• Furnishings
• Utilities
• Rent
• Room and Board (including moving expenses)
• No-show appointments
• Staff travel time with a person that’s not in the vehicle
• Transition services from institutions if a person dies before discharge or transition services exceed 180 days
• Direct or indirect services in a group setting
• Physically touring housing that is not within Minnesota

The following are the restrictions of the housing transition services:

• Housing transition is only restricted to 150 hours per transition. However, an additional 150 hours can be granted to those who meet the exception requirements.
• It is required that the house the client will be living in or transitioning to meets the home and community-based services (HCBS) setting requirements and must not be a community residential setting or foster care. However, housing consultation services can be provided in any setting in the community if the person is moving into a new home setting that meets the HCBS requirements.
• This service can only be provided to individuals who are transitioning to a less restrictive setting, meaning the housing allows more independence but can also mean a safer environment wherein they can increase or maintain community connections. On the other hand, for those transitioning from provider-controlled settings, this is only offered to those transitioning to a private residence where the person will be directly responsible for their living expenses.
• For individuals residing in institutional settings, they may receive services no more than 180 consecutive days before discharge, and providers will not bill for services until they have transitioned to their home that meets the HCBS setting requirements.
• Providers are not allowed to provide housing transition services to the same person with whom the person-centered plan was created without a DHS-approved provider shortage exception.
• An individual is not allowed to acquire both housing transition and Medical Assistance-funded Relocation Service Coordination (RCS) in the same calendar month.
• Housing transition services are not covered when an individual is receiving housing sustaining services at the same time.
• Individuals receiving Moving Home Minnesota services are not allowed to receive housing transition services.
• Individuals receiving Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services cannot also avail of the housing transition services.

More Information About Our Housing Transition Services

• The individual can switch their housing transition service provider at any time. The change in service provider will reflect in their person-centered plan developed by a waiver case manager/care coordinator/housing consultant/ targeted case manager and uploaded into the eligibility review system as a provider change request by the new service provider.
• Service providers in identified home and community-based settings, excluding assisted living and foster care, can offer housing transition services to individuals living in housing owned and/or managed by a company associated with the provider handling the service.
• Institutionalized care providers or foster care providers not yet determined to meet HCBS settings rules cannot be reimbursed for housing transition services for individuals living in housing owned and/or managed by a company associated with the provider handling the service unless the setting is specifically designed to be temporary. This includes residential treatment facilities, sober living houses, shelters, or time-limit supported housing.

Our professionals work to make sure that you can maintain your housing in the community. Our services cover the following:

• Creating, updating, and adjusting the housing support and crisis/safety plan regularly
• Preventing behaviors that could jeopardize continued housing
• Educating on roles, rights, and duties of the tenant and property manager
• Transportation for the individual who is presently receiving services and discussing housing-related issues
• Supporting cultural practice needs and understandings with property managers, landlords, and neighbors
• Coaching in establishing and maintaining relationships with landlords and neighbors
• Assisting in finding community resources that can prevent eviction when housing is at risk
• Helping with housing recertification processes
• Ongoing training on being a good tenant, household management, and lease compliance
• Assisting the individual in applying for benefits to retain housing
• Assisting the individual in understanding and maintaining/increasing income and benefits to sustain housing
• Coordinating with property manager or landlord to promote housing retention
• Arranging all assistive equipment needed
• Arranging all the adaptive house-related accommodations needed

The housing sustaining services do not cover the following:

• Deposits
• Food
• Furnishings
• Utilities
• Rent
• Room and Board (including moving expenses)
• No-show appointments
• Staff travel time with a person that’s not in the vehicle
• Direct or indirect services in a group setting
• Services that are not provided within Minnesota

The following are the restrictions of the housing sustaining services:

• All services must only be provided through a Medical Assistance enrolled provider.
• Services are only limited to 150 hours yearly. An additional 150 hours can only be provided to individuals who meet the exception requirements.
• Individuals availing of this service must be residing in one of the following settings:
  • Individual or family housing unit/homes
  • Provider-controlled settings, other than community residential settings and adult foster care that meet the HCBS settings requirements
• Services are not covered when a person is also receiving housing transition services.
• A provider is not allowed to offer housing sustaining services for the same person with whom the person-centered plan was created without a DHS-approved provider shortage exception.
• Individuals using Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services cannot receive housing sustaining services.

More Information About Our Housing Sustaining Services

• The individual can switch their housing transition service provider at any time. The change in service provider will reflect in their person-centered plan developed by a waiver case manager/care coordinator/housing consultant/ targeted case manager and uploaded into the eligibility review system as a provider change request by the new service provider.