United Community Action Partnership Launches New Homelessness Crisis Line

United Community Action Partnership (UCAP) has created a new 24/7 crisis line for people experiencing homelessness. 

Homelessness is not as visible in rural areas as it is in larger cities. Typically, the homeless population in SW MN consists of local people who are struggling. Most go to extraordinary lengths to hide the fact that they are homeless from friends or coworkers. 

Examples of homelessness can include people “couch hopping” (moving from place to place nightly, sometimes experiencing exploitation), living in a vehicle, sleeping in storage units, locking themselves in their place of work, warming up in 24-hour businesses, or multiple families living in one single-family apartment. With COVID-19, the issue is compounded via job loss and a shortage of affordable housing options. 

To better respond to the need in area communities, UCAP has launched a homelessness crisis line throughout SW MN. The crisis line operates outside regular business hours and will be solely dedicated to helping people find emergency shelter. 

Anyone in need of shelter should first call their local UCAP office during regular hours. Outside of business hours, those in need should call the crisis line. Those in Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, and Redwood Counties should dial 320-587-5244, extension 12.  Screening questions will be asked to determine eligibility and coordinate appropriate shelter and other services as needed.

United Community Action Partnership brings together area resources in Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Redwood and Renville counties to address the growing needs of our local communities in southwest Minnesota.