Permanent Supportive Housing: Steady, Relational, and Quietly Transformative

A consistent, but often less visible, program of Our Saviour’s Community Services, permanent supportive housing (PSH), provides access to housing and case management services to over 100 residents who have experienced long-term homelessness. Participants live across Hennepin County or in on-site properties managed directly by OSCS. Residents work towards goals to help sustain their housing, such as finding jobs, accessing food, getting an ID, or obtaining medical services.  

Because our low-barrier program serves people from a variety of backgrounds, success can look very different for each resident and often starts with small steps. “It’s a client-driven program, so our interactions tend to revolve around what goals the [resident] has that they want to accomplish,” says Tim Reinardy, permanent supportive housing program manager at Our Saviour’s Community Services. “Often, we’ve had individuals who have been on the streets or in unstable housing for many years. And so, when we get them into housing, there might be simple steps they didn’t know they need to do in order to stay housed.” 

The supportive housing program at OSCS is unique because of its ability to provide highly personalized services with low case management ratios. While most programs assign caseloads at a ratio of 25:1, OSCS maintains an 18:1 ratio. Tim says PSH team members are often the first people residents call when problems arise. “We’re able to provide constant support, within reason and boundaries, because our program keeps that caseload low.” 

Funding challenges impacted PSH’s flexibility and growth in the past year. Changes in state funding made it difficult to expand pathways for people to access housing and the services we offer. These changes also eliminated funds OSCS relied on to provide case management for some individuals in the program. Further, state funding to provide case management support hasn’t increased meaningfully in over a decade, making it difficult to meet growing expenses and demand for housing services. According to Tim, maintaining low caseload ratios despite the loss of funds is imperative for the success of the program. “We’re dealing with individuals who don’t trust the system. One of the most important things we do is build trust and long-term relationships.” 

Even amidst challenges, case managers continue to see and celebrate progress with residents. For Tim and his team, the small steps happening each day can be incredibly transformative. “PSH might not seem as grand [as other programs]. But when you talk about finding housing for someone who has been on the streets for years – that is the success we’re looking for, as well as building the trust and relationships that will be key in maintaining that housing.”