Homeless Services
Washington County Community Services recognizes that homelessness exists in Washington County and that those experiencing homelessness deserve access to services to assist them in becoming stably housed, as well as assist them with accessing other resources to meet their basic needs. The Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) provides these services to residents of Washington County. HOST consists of four social workers, a supervisor, and one support staff person. Together, they manage a housing resource line (651-430-6488 ) where calls may be placed 24/7 and will be returned within one business day.
There are two shelter options in Washington County:
Families seeking shelter:
- Contact St. Andrew's Resource Center at 651-762-9124 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Singles or families that have completed an intake with St. Andrew’s and are waiting for space:
- Contact Washington County HOST.
- Households must be seen in-person to seek shelter.
Coordinated Entry is a regional system that connects homeless households with housing programs and includes Anoka, Dakota, Scott, Carver, and Washington counties . Anyone assessed by an approved access point within these counties will be placed on the same housing priority list.
Once a household is placed on the priority list, it is prioritized for housing programs based on a number of factors, such as length of homelessness, make-up of household, existence of a disabling condition, and assessment score. Agencies trained to complete assessments are called access points. The access point will determine if your household is eligible to receive an assessment. If you are not eligible, mainstream resources will be provided.
Washington County has three access points:
For youth ages 18-25:
- Call or text The Connect Center Youth Connections Coordinator and Outreach Worker at 612-475-4055 to schedule an appointment, or
- Visit the Youth Services Network website to connect with an Outreach Worker who can complete an assessment with you.
For families and single adults ages 25 and older:
Contact the Washington County Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) through the resource line at 651-430-6488.
Three financial resources are available to assist with eviction prevention:
- Emergency Assistance
- If denied emergency assistance:
- Contact the Salvation Army at 651-739-6288 or
- Contact HOST, through the housing resource line at 651-430-6488, as they have limited funds available to assist with eviction prevention.
*It is essential that all households apply for Emergency Assistance first. The other two resources can only assist if households have been denied Emergency Assistance.
See information on other financial programs that the county administers.
The Washington County HOST does have access to limited grant money to assist households with a damage deposit and/or first month rent if that is a barrier to housing. To be considered for this resource, contact the housing resource line 651-430-6488.