In rural Minnesota, there are even fewer affordable and appropriate housing options. Affordable housing is essential to ensure a stable community-based system. There must be creative use of existing housing resources to safely provide access and provide services while recognizing lifestyle choices and protecting the rights and dignity of consumers. A major problem in better coordination of housing and continuing care services is that both have traditionally been viewed as separate, with their own policies, standards and financing. Assistance in informing and educating people about their housing options, financing methods and coordination with services is seriously lacking.
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability.
It can be a primary disability or it can co-occur with other disabilities. In 1999, DHS mental health programs served approximately 49,641 people with disabilities who also had a serious to less serious mental health condition. Primary and co-occurring mental health expenditures represent a significant proportion of state and local funds, yet there are still financial and access barriers to receiving needed services. People with mental illness can be served, to a limited degree, under the state plan or by HCBS Waivers, but some of the current standard options are not appropriate. Chemical dependency can also be a primary cause of disability or it can co-occur with other disabilities.