Office of Economic Opportunity

The office administers antipoverty programs through a network of Community Action Agencies and non-profit organizations. The core areas include community action, food and nutrition, homeless and housing, early childhood facilities programs and the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) program.

Guiding principles

These principles guide meaningful and constructive partnerships

Mutual respect

Working with others, the office values and recognizes the unique knowledge, ability and independence of people and is committed to treating all persons fairly and maintaining credibility by matching actions with words.

Open communication

Open communication assists in implementing high-quality programs, providing information on new developments, sharing program improvement ideas and developing solutions to problems while working toward a shared vision and goal.

Joint problem solving

The office is open to change and works to explore options for mutually agreeable solutions. The goal is for agencies to function independently with the Office of Economic Opportunity's support meeting the needs of local communities within parameters set by the Minnesota Legislature.

Valuing diversity

As an ally in state government, the office has the responsibility to support the many diverse cultures, perspectives and abilities of people living in poverty. The Office of Economic Opportunity regards diversity as a community and individual asset, and strives to ensure that its work and decision-making processes are mindful of the diversity of people experiencing poverty.

Ethical Code of Conduct

Honesty and integrity are the foundation of the office’s work. As stewards of public trust and resources, the office is committed to complying with applicable laws, and acting honestly and ethically.

Community action

Community action programs deliver locally designed and coordinated services to address community needs, and increase the economic security of Minnesotans. Eleven tribal governments and 24 Community Action Agencies, receive funding from the federal Community Services Block Grant and the Minnesota Community Action Grant, serving all 87 Minnesota counties. Learn how the grants help Minnesotans in need by viewing "Fighting poverty: Putting the Community Services Block Grant and Minnesota Community Action Grant to Use" (PDF).

Directory of Community Action Agencies

Community action leverages federal, state, local and private resources to develop a range of programs and initiatives that result in a measurable impact on alleviating poverty. Programs include the Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and senior independent living services. Refer to the department's Directory of Community Action Agencies for more information.

Food and nutrition

The Office of Economic Opportunity works with state and federal food programs across Minnesota to ease hunger and promote healthier living. These programs receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Food Shelf Program

This program works to bridge the nutritional gap that families with low incomes face. It provides funds to food shelves to purchase nutritious food, and support their operations by covering some administrative expenses. The department works with Hunger Solutions of Minnesota to distribute food to nearly 3,000 food shelves across the state. For details, see Minnesota Food Shelf Program Fact Sheet (DHS-5498).
The Emergency Food Assistance Program

This program distributes U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities via the food bank network to families and individuals who use on-site meal programs, approximately 300 food shelves and shelters. Seven regional food banks distribute USDA commodity foods, totally more than nine million pounds of food per year.

Learn more
SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education)

This program improves the likelihood that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible participants make healthy food choices and choose physically active lifestyles through various behaviorally focused, evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions. The department administers U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds and contracts with the University of Minnesota Extension and tribal governments to deliver SNAP-Education, reaching more than 9,500 individuals.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach

This program increases awareness and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through education, benefits pre-screenings and application assistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service provides states with funding and policies governing the program. The department supervises program activities at the state level and funds more than 30 community-based organizations’ outreach efforts. Refer to the department's Directory of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach Grantees for Federal Fiscal Year 2018-2019 for more information. For further details, visit SNAP outreach.
SNAP Coalition
To address the growing need for food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Human Services is re-launching the Nutritious Food Coalition, and changing its name to the SNAP Coalition. The SNAP Coalition seeks to increase awareness and participation in SNAP through coordinated outreach efforts. Those encouraged to participate include community-based organizations; state, county and local governments; tribal nations; business associations; advocacy networks; and others to make up a broad mix of partners.

Learn more by viewing SNAP Coalition: Coming together to fight food insecurity (PDF). If interested in participating in the meetings, subscribe below to receive SNAP Coalition News and Updates.
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Homelessness and housing

As a member of the Minnesota Inter-agency Council on Homelessness, the Office of Economic Opportunity facilitates statewide planning efforts and program coordination to assure an effective homeless response system for Minnesotans. The following state and federal programs are implemented by the office.

Minnesota Transitional Housing Program (THP)
Emergency Services Program (ESP)

This program provides emergency shelter, motel vouchers, day shelter and essential services for children, unaccompanied youth, single adults and families who are experiencing homelessness. The department awards funds biannually to local providers through a competitive application process.

In addition, the Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $3 million in one-time funds for program grantees to provide additional emergency shelter and outreach services in state fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Learn how the department is allocating these funds in this Emergency Services Program one-time funding information sheet (PDF).
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
Homeless Youth Act (HYA)
Safe Harbor Housing

Early childhood facilities grants

The Office of Economic Opportunity manages early childhood facilities grants, assisting with the construction, purchase or renovation of needed facilities. Quality facilities promote better outcomes for children through excellent preschool and early childhood facilities to improve outcomes for Head Start and other at-risk children in Minnesota. Funds are awarded by the state through a competitive request for proposal process.

Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM)

This program combines individual development accounts (IDAs) -- matched saving accounts that provide financial incentives to save -- with financial literacy education, asset-specific training and ongoing coaching that supports and facilitates working poor families to acquire assets and increase their financial capability and economic security.

Contact us

Phone: 651-431-3808, toll-free at 877-396-6383

Mail: Minnesota Department of Human Services
Office of Economic Opportunity
PO Box 64951
St. Paul, MN 55164-0951