Though it can take several different forms, Transitional Housing typically refers to a supportive community that provides temporary (or time-limited) housing to people experiencing homelessness or crisis. The goal of Transitional Housing is to equip people with the tools, structure, and support they need to successfully re-enter permanent housing and achieve long-term stability.
At Solid Ground, we provide income-based rental assistance or other subsidies to make housing affordable to families with extremely low wealth. This includes both on-site transitional housing programs, such as our East Metro Place (EMP) Apartments located in White Bear Lake, and time-limited scattered-site programming where we partner with property owners throughout the community.
Solid Ground’s scattered-site programs offer up to two years of rental assistance and supportive services to offer turn-key housing where families successfully remain in their homes after the program ends. Families in the EMP Transitional Housing program are referred to Solid Ground through a Coordinated Entry process and can stay at EMP for up to two years. During their stay, families receive person-centered supportive services, qualify for project-based Section 8 rental assistance, and are eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher.
To best prepare families for permanent housing following their stay at EMP, Solid Ground recently implemented a Transitional Housing: What’s Next class for participants. The goal of the class is to help families identify any remaining barriers they may experience to housing and long-term economic stability. Knowing that families are eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher following one year of program completion, Solid Ground staff are gathering families at their 6-month, 1 year, and 18-month anniversaries to ensure they are on-track to stable housing.
Nathan Delgado and Jasmine Johnson, Solid Ground Housing Navigators, hosted the first Transitional Housing: What’s Next class last week. Five families joined the staff for a homecooked meal (courtesy of Mr. Delgado), information on overcoming common barriers, and engaged community support. Solid Ground is excited to offer additional supports to families as they work to achieve housing stability, increase their income, improve their health and wellness, and establish long-term community connections.