Group residential homes seek more funding to support services

Cindy Brown arrived on the doorstep of Katherine’s House in the summer of 2016 with nothing but a laundry basket, a suitcase of clothes and a life devastated by addiction. The board and lodge facility in Eveleth gives women struggling with mental health problems or chemical dependency a safe place to live with round-the-clock support, which allowed Brown to regain control of her life, she said.

Less than a year later, the U.S. Marine Corps veteran has moved into affiliated independent housing and secured a job, two promotions, and a raise.  She still receives services through Katherine’s House, including therapy, Brown told the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee Tuesday.

“Because of this facility, I’m myself again,” she said.

Katherine’s House is one of thousands of facilities funded, in part, through the state’s Group Residential Housing program. The program covers the room and board of elderly, disabled, and blind Minnesotans staying in qualified group homes, including board and lodge facilities, adult foster care, and assisted living facilities.

WATCH Full video from Tuesday's meeting of the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee 

The current rate — capped at $891 per person each month — is intended to cover rent, utilities, food, and household supplies.

Through HF885, Katherine’s House is seeking a supplemental rate that would provide additional funding, capped at $700, to help cover the cost of supportive services, which include 24-hour staffing, therapy, life skills training and transportation. This would allow the program to serve more women and continue meeting the needs of the communities it serves, said Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia), the bill sponsor.

The bill was approved and referred to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. Its companion, SF363, sponsored by Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), awaits action by the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

Providing a roof and a bed

HF1384, sponsored by Rep. Nels Pierson (R-Rochester), was also referred to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee and would provide a supplemental rate to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge, a long-term, residential addiction rehabilitation and recovery center in Rochester. The bill’s companion, SF1199, sponsored by Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), awaits action in the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.

HF1406, sponsored by Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River), would provide a supplemental rate to an Anoka County facility and is expected to be heard by the committee Tuesday evening. This bill’s companion, SF864, is sponsored by Sen. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids) and also awaits action in the Senate human services committee.

Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) stressed the importance of contextual information to help the committee make informed decisions on the various proposals presented Tuesday. It was unclear why organizations are required to approach the Legislature one by one to request additional support, or why the basic room and board rate varies between facilities, she said.

“We have limited dollars and we want to make sure that we spread them appropriately to make sure that we make the absolute best use of every dollar,” Liebling said. “We want to make sure that we have the programs we need where we need them.”

Kristine Davis, a policy specialist with the Housing and Support Services Division of the Department of Human Services, offered to provide the department’s December 2016 legislative report on Group Residential Housing service rates.