Heading Home Olmsted- A plan to prevent and end homelessness

Olmsted County is one of several counties across the state that has developed local strategies to end homelessness. The vision of the Heading Home Olmsted Plan is a community where all persons have options for safe temporary or emergency housing and choices for a permanent place to live.

We seek to prevent and end long-term homelessness in Olmsted County by developing local housing and supportive services that use evidence-based models and combine public and private resources.

Heading Home Olmsted has resulted in the following supportive housing collaborations for disabled individuals and transitional housing for ex-offenders.

The Francis a 17-unit efficiency apartment building in downtown Rochester that serves adults diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder who meet the definition of chronic long-term homelessness. The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) and Olmsted County Adult Services partner to provide supportive housing at the Francis.

Damascus Way serves to assist corrections clients during their transition from incarceration to community living.

  • Provides short-term housing for corrections clients being released from prison or the local detention center.
  • Corrections clients being admitted to the facility are those who have no other alternative for housing and would be homeless.
  • Serves as a landing spot until these offenders can find employment and more permanent housing.
  • The maximum stay at the Transitional Living Center is 90 days.
  • Residents must agree to live in a structured environment that provides weekly meetings and coaching sessions by Damascus Way Staff.

Silver Creek Corner is a 40-bed supportive housing facility that houses homeless individuals who are chronically inebriated. This project is a collaboration between the Olmsted County HRA, Center City Housing Corporation, and Olmsted County Adult and Family Services. The project is located at the Olmsted County Campus, north of the 2117 building. Center City Housing Corp. is the developer and property manager for the project. Olmsted County Adult Services provides housing support and case management to the individuals residing there.

Obtaining a state identification (ID) card with no permanent address

If you need to obtain a state identification (ID) card and do not have a permanent address, Olmsted County has a process in place to assist you.

  1. Visit the Vital Records and Licensing office at the Olmsted County Government Center.

    • In order to apply for a state ID card, you must bring a birth certificate.

    • If you have questions about how to obtain your birth certificate, contact Vital Records and Licensing at 507-328-7660.

  2. Address information will be required on the form.

    • For your address, use your last known address.

    • For your mailing address, use:
      Olmsted County Government Center
      Vital Records and Licensing
      151 4th St. SE
      Rochester, MN 55904-3709

  3. There is a fee associated with the state ID card. Community funding may be available to help cover this cost.

  4. State ID cards generally arrive at the Government Center within two weeks.

    • If you provide a phone number during the application process, you will receive a call when the card arrives.

    • If you did not provide a phone number during the application process, please contact Vital Records and Licensing after two weeks at 507-328-7660 to determine if your card has arrived.

    • Once the card is at the Government Center, you may pick it up at the Vital Records and Licensing office.

    • ID cards will only be released to you. No one else may pick up the card on your behalf.

    • Any ID cards not picked up within one year will be shredded.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Vital Records and Licensing at 507-328-7660.