There are many different types of services that can help prevent people from becoming homeless. There is help available for Ramsey County families who are being evicted, including single mothers. Rapid rehousing programs can help adults move into new, affordable homes or apartments. The resources are focused on ending homelessness in St. Paul Minnesota and throughout the county.
This means that there are agencies in Ramsey County that can help with emergency expenses, but they may not have a lot of money to give. Under the HPRP program, an eligible applicant with minor children may be able to receive a cash grant to help with paying costs such as rental arrears or energy bills if they could lead to an eviction. The St. Paul Legal Aid Society provides free legal representation to low-income residents of the city. If an applicant for assistance from a non-profit organization is referred to the St. Paul Legal Aid Society, they will be paired with an attorney who can help them with their case.
Many organizations want to be able to help everyone who is either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. If the tenant is very behind on their housing costs, it may not be possible to work out a payment plan. The Ramsey County homeless prevention programs will try to rehouse the resident into a shelter or even a motel for a night or two if they are homeless. Other agencies will help the family move.
There are solutions to both short-term and long-term homelessness, as well as to eviction. The first goal is to always keep people from being evicted from their homes. This will help with immediate, emergency needs. This could be paid for using money from the Housing and Urban Development, legal aid from a pro-bono law firm, or Ramsey County Continuum of Care.
The client will need to have a source of income and participate in budgeting and job training programs in order to fully participate in the HPRP housing programs. They will also need to contribute a portion of what they owe the landlord. There are a number of things that families can do to prevent eviction, but one of the most important is to make sure they have a steady income.
If you qualify, the government can provide money to pay for past-due rent or utility bills. This means all expenses related to the home, such as utilities. The government will only give money for rent as a last resort and will try to negotiate a payment plan with the landlord first. Or they will explore other energy solutions from companies such as Xcel Energy.
Emergency eviction programs can help St. Paul residents who are on General Assistance or who live on a fixed income from Social Security. Priority for this service is often given to tenants with a disability, senior citizens and parents with children. There are many ways to resolve disagreements between tenants and landlords, such as mediation from a lawyer. However, financial aid may also be used.
Street Outreach is a form of community engagement that involves going into public spaces to meet people where they are at. This can include providing resources, engaging in conversation, and offering support. This is for people who are currently homeless. It includes people who may be living in a motel, in a car or shelter, or even on the couch of a family member. Non-profits that offer this outreach, such as Kateri Residence for Native Americans or Simpson Shelter, will not only offer short term housing, but also food or hygiene items to help those in need. Outreach can help connect individuals with motel voucher programs and other resources. This phone number is for the customer service line for the company.
The St. Paul Rapid Re-Housing program will help people who are homeless move from shelters or motels to affordable housing. Catholic Charities has a program called Housing First, which helps people find and keep housing. This supports people that have recently become homeless, including those who have been evicted. It provides emergency support as well as access to public assistance programs such as veteran benefits, Social Security, furniture programs, and more.
A case manager will work with the client to help them find and secure private housing. The program will help the family pay for things like a security deposit on a new apartment, as well as other expenses. The highly trained Housing First staff from Catholic Charities will also act as a liaison between tenants and the landlord. They will work with the tenants to prevent a future eviction. The staff provides continuous advice for up to six months.
For information on homeless prevention programs in Ramsey County, please call 651-225-9355. Residents can learn about resources that can help with security deposits or utility bills. People who are being threatened with eviction can call 651-225-9354.