Housing Resources Key to Stability for Many in Recovery

View of downtown Minneapolis / Photo by TopSphere Media / Unsplash

Secure, stable housing is more than just a roof over one’s head — it is the foundation upon which health, safety, and long-term success are built. Without access to stable housing, individuals struggling with substance use disorders face additional barriers to healing, reintegrating, and thriving in their communities.

At the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), we understand that housing stability is crucial for people experiencing substance use challenges, pursuing recovery, or living in recovery. That’s why we encourage people in the recovery community to learn about housing resources available to Minnesotans – including programs designed to help people with substance use disorders.

For many people, housing instability — whether through homelessness, frequent moves, or poor living conditions — often coexists with substance use. This can create a vicious cycle, where the stress and trauma of unstable living conditions contribute to ongoing use of substances as a form of coping. People pursuing recovery need stable, supportive housing to maintain sobriety, rebuild their lives, and avoid the temptations and stressors that could derail their progress.

Research shows that stable housing has a profound impact on recovery outcomes. When individuals have secure housing, they are better positioned to access health care, attend therapy, and participate in community-building activities — all of which are key to maintaining long-term recovery.

For many Minnesotans in need, finding the right housing can be one of the most significant challenges on their path to recovery. That’s why DHS works with partners and providers to offer several key housing resources that support people affected by substance use disorders. Some programs of note include:

  • Housing Stabilization Services, a Medical Assistance benefit that helps seniors and people with disabilities, including mental illness and substance use disorder, find and keep housing. Among other benefits, the program can provide up to $3,000 to help with moving expenses.
  • The Crisis Housing Assistance Program, which provides short-term housing assistance to people with a serious mental illness who are receiving inpatient or residential mental health care or substance use disorder treatment for 90 days or less. The program, administered by The Arc Minnesota, supports people who cannot pay housing-related costs because they are paying for treatment.
  • Housing Support (previously known as Group Residential Housing (GRH)) is a state-funded income supplement for people with disabilities, including mental illness and substance use disorder, to pay for housing expenses and sometimes additional services. With the help of their treatment provider, people leaving inpatient treatment without a fixed, adequate residence can receive Housing Support for up to three months without paying any of their income toward their housing costs.
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Learn more about these and other housing programs on the Housing Benefits 101 website. HB101.org has a wide variety of resources, such as housing search tools, a list of programs that help people pay for rent, and a map of places to get help (including emergency shelters) for people experiencing homelessness.

At DHS, we fully recognize the critical intersection of behavioral health and housing. Early last year, DHS created two new administrations: the Behavioral Health Administration, and the Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration. Importantly, these new administrations are not just a reorganization – they represent a fresh approach to tackling the complex challenges of homelessness, housing instability and behavioral health in Minnesota. All staff within these administrations will continue to collaborate closely to ensure integrated support for those we serve.

If someone you know is struggling with housing stability, please share with them information about these life-changing programs or encourage them to reach out to their county or tribe. Together we can build a stronger, healthier Minnesota, where every individual has access to the stable housing they need to thrive.


Teresa Steinmetz is assistant commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Eric Grumdahl is assistant commissioner of the Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration at DHS.

Last Updated on January 12, 2025

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