Why This Matters

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 to address homelessness and housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated 70,000 tenant-based vouchers to public housing authorities across the United States. To guide future policy around homelessness services and housing voucher programs for people experiencing homelessness, we examined how six communities implemented the EHV program. This case study summarizes the program in Dakota County, which targeted households transitioning from rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing and households from the coordinated entry priority list. 

Key Takeaways

Through a collaboration between the public housing authority, Continuum of Care, and Dakota County Social Services, the program offered housing search assistance, landlord incentives, and pre-inspected units to quickly lease up EHV holders. Dakota County also connected individuals to the state’s Housing Stabilization Service (HSS) Medicaid benefit to provide ongoing case management to EHV holders. As of April 2025, 84 percent of EHVs in Dakota remain leased. However, to better address the needs of the target population, program staff suggested the need to improve capacity and streamline the HSS eligibility process, restructure Medicaid billing for HSS services, and pair supportive services with the EHV program.