When families learn that Medicaid waiver programs like the Elderly Waiver (EW) or CADI Waiver cover assisted living care, a natural follow-up question is: what about the room — the cost of actually living there?
The answer is Group Residential Housing (GRH), also called Housing Support. It’s one of the most important — and least understood — parts of how assisted living gets paid for in Minnesota.
What Is Group Residential Housing (GRH)?
Group Residential Housing is a Minnesota state program that helps pay for room costs — the housing (rent) portion of an assisted living placement — for people who receive certain public benefits and live in qualifying residential settings, including licensed assisted living homes.
It’s separate from Medicaid waiver programs. Where the waiver covers care services (personal care, medication management, supervision), GRH covers the room (housing) costs.
Who Is Eligible for GRH?
To receive GRH (Housing Support), a person generally must:
- Live in a qualifying residential setting (including licensed assisted living facilities)
- Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA), or certain other public benefits
- Have limited income and assets
Many adults who receive Medicaid waiver services (EW, CADI, DD) are also receiving SSI — making them eligible for GRH automatically.
How Much Does GRH Pay?
The GRH rate for assisted living settings in Minnesota is approximately $1,187 per month (this is the rate for Enhanced Residential Services settings, which most licensed assisted living homes qualify as).
This covers the room (housing) costs at the facility. The resident keeps a small personal needs allowance (approximately $89/month from their SSI benefit) for personal expenses.
How the Whole Picture Fits Together
For a waiver recipient in assisted living, the full payment picture looks like this:
| What | Paid By |
|---|---|
| Care services (personal care, medication management, supervision) | Medicaid waiver (EW / CADI / DD) — billed to MCO or DHS |
| Room costs (housing/rent) | Housing Support / GRH |
| Personal needs allowance | Resident keeps ~$89/month from SSI |
The family typically pays nothing — the combination of waiver services and GRH covers the full cost of assisted living.
What the Facility Has to Do
To accept GRH, an assisted living facility must be:
- Licensed by MDH as an assisted living facility
- Enrolled with the county as a GRH provider
- Providing a qualifying residential setting (private room, basic services)
The facility bills the county directly for GRH. The resident’s case manager or county worker typically helps establish the GRH payment when the resident moves in.
What Families Need to Do
If your loved one is moving into assisted living and will use waiver funding:
- Work with the case manager or MCO care coordinator — they will coordinate both the waiver service authorization and the GRH benefit
- Confirm with the facility that they are enrolled as a GRH provider
- Complete county paperwork for Housing Support enrollment if it hasn’t already been done
The case manager is typically the key person here — they understand how these programs interact and can guide the process.
Common Questions
“Can someone on GRH keep any of their own money?” Yes — residents on SSI who receive GRH typically keep about $89/month as a personal needs allowance. Some residents may have additional income from other sources, which is counted in an income calculation that determines the exact GRH amount.
“What if the waiver and GRH don’t cover the full facility rate?” If a facility’s rate exceeds what GRH pays, there may be a gap that requires private-pay contribution. Well-run facilities design their rates to work within the waiver + GRH structure for waiver-funded residents. Confirm this with the facility before placement.
“Does GRH cover all assisted living settings?” GRH covers licensed assisted living homes that are enrolled as Housing Support providers. Confirm enrollment status before placement.
WeDoCare in Bloomington, MN is enrolled as a GRH provider and accepts EW, CADI, and DD waiver residents (adults 55 and older). We work directly with county case managers and MCO coordinators to make placement financially seamless.
Questions about how funding works for a specific situation? Contact us or call (952) 600-2780. We’re happy to walk through it with you.
WeDoCare — Bloomington, MN
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Licensed assisted living — 5 private bedrooms. EW, CADI & DD waivers accepted. Adults 55+. We respond within 24 hours.