In their newly launched COVID-19 Housing webpage, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing additional information about the 15% add on to Housing Support (GRH).   

As previously reported, the Minnesota Legislature passed an emergency COVID-19 response bill on March 26 that included a provision to increase most Housing Support rates by 15% for the months of March, April and May.

The temporary 15% increase provides resources for all Housing Support providers to ensure provision of room and board standards and follow federal and state health and safety guidance in response to the challenges of COVID-19. DHS is finalizing the operational details on this increase, which we will share with you as soon as it is ready.

WHAT DO HOUSING SUPPORT PROVIDERS NEED TO DO?

• Housing Support providers should be keeping track of their COVID-19 related expenses. The emergency appropriation requires that providers submit documentation that the funds were used for COVID-19 related expenses for Housing Support recipients in March, April and May.
• Expenses do not need to be tracked or applied at an individual person level.
• State law requires all providers to submit documentation by Oct. 1, 2020 showing that increased funding was used for COVID-19 related expenses.
• If documentation is not submitted or demonstrated for allowable expenses, it must be repaid.

WHAT EXPENSES ARE ELIGIBLE?

Any expenses that are related to provision of room and board standards in response to federal or state health and safety guidance regarding COVID-19. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

• Costs for cleaning, hygiene, sanitation, or personal protection equipment for staff or residents.
• Modifications for quarantine or isolation spaces in order to meet recommended guidelines from MDH.
• Costs to maintain or reconfigure meal programs or meal delivery services.
• Costs to maintain staffing levels to ensure minimum room and board standards are met.
• Costs to maintain staffing levels to ensure minimum supplemental service standards are met.

To be notified when changes occur, sign up for COVID-19-specific DHS email notifications.

Contact Bobbie Guidry with questions.