Empowering Connections and Housing Outreach (ECHO) Center marks one year of service
On October 1, 2022, the Empowering Connections and Housing Outreach (ECHO) Center marked one year of service to the community.
The ECHO Center, located at 206 4th Street SE in Rochester, is next to the Rochester Community Warming Center (RCWC). The ECHO Center has allowed Olmsted County’s Housing Stability team to meet with people experiencing homelessness and connect them with resources to find safe and stable housing.
“Making access easy and being able to provide housing information to the clients we serve gives them the best chance of making their experience with homelessness short-lived,” said Olmsted County Housing Resource Coordinator Trent Fluegel. “Olmsted County Senior Social Worker Jacob Radtke has helped create collaborative relationships with community organizations, and the ECHO Center has become a place for those organizations to come and help people experiencing housing instability.”
Over the last year, families and individuals have come to the ECHO Center to receive application assistance for health care, food support, and other benefits. Olmsted County staff members have also been able to facilitate appointments with health care providers and treatment centers for substance use.
“For some, replacing lost identification cards, social security cards, and birth certificates are the first steps,” said Fluegel. “When someone doesn’t have a safe, stable place to call home, even simple tasks can seem overwhelming. Often, a light touch consisting of encouragement and guidance is enough to help someone navigate the tasks they need to complete.”
October 1, 2021 – October 1, 2022, annual report
- 1,252 visits to the ECHO Center
- Average of 104 people served each month
- 263 unique individuals
- 54 people housed
- 10 people who returned to another community (bus tickets)
The ECHO Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, please email housingstability@olmstedcounty.gov or call 507-328-7175.