Being poor in Minnesota vs Wisconsin
September 9, 2024 3:29 PM Subscribe
Homeless couple in Superior WI, trying to decide between staying in Superior or moving to Duluth. Wondering about pros/cons.
So, in regards to my previous question, my daughter and her boyfriend did wind up having a few days to gather up their belongings and get out, barely. They have been homeless since then, and are trying to figure out their next steps.
The boyfriend got a job in Duluth, not a great job but it's something. My daughter is still doing food delivery.
Because the boyfriend is working in Duluth and they only have one car, I have suggested to them that they probably should look for an apartment near his work. But of course that means moving to MN from WI, meaning any state assistance they are currently getting would end and they would have to start from scratch in MN.
I'm wondering how the resources for low-income and homeless people compare between the states. I would expect that MN might be better, being a blue state, but I really have no idea. Would appreciate any knowledge or advice you could offer. Also interested in any other upsides or downsides you know of.
So, in regards to my previous question, my daughter and her boyfriend did wind up having a few days to gather up their belongings and get out, barely. They have been homeless since then, and are trying to figure out their next steps.
The boyfriend got a job in Duluth, not a great job but it's something. My daughter is still doing food delivery.
Because the boyfriend is working in Duluth and they only have one car, I have suggested to them that they probably should look for an apartment near his work. But of course that means moving to MN from WI, meaning any state assistance they are currently getting would end and they would have to start from scratch in MN.
I'm wondering how the resources for low-income and homeless people compare between the states. I would expect that MN might be better, being a blue state, but I really have no idea. Would appreciate any knowledge or advice you could offer. Also interested in any other upsides or downsides you know of.
I live in Wisconsin, but have not been poor here. Regardless, I would stick with Minnesota. Wisconsin has been gutting its social programs for a long time, but especially since 2010. We may flip the legislature this year, but it will still be a slog to fix things.
posted by rockindata at 5:08 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 5:08 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
Minnesota has better social services than Wisconsin, but as you note, your daughter and her partner would be "starting over" gaining access to benefits/assistance there.
What they need is informed advice about opportunities and tradeoffs. I would start with St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services (for Duluth) and Douglas County Health and Human Services (for Superior). These agencies can offer advice about available benefits and in each place and how tough they are to access, especially if crossing state lines into Minnesota.
They should also check out the Superior Housing Authority and the Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Duluth. Both will have waiting lists for subsidized affordable housing, and they should apply to be on those lists for future housing opportunities. Both will also have advice for transitional housing options for right now.
I assumed that there would be more market-rate low-cost housing in Superior than in Duluth, but it looks like I may be wrong.
Job opportunities: More in Duluth than Superior, but they're kind of one city. There's decent public transit between central Duluth and central Superior.
So I don't think that there's an obvious answer to your Ask. In your daughter's shoes, I think I would prioritize securing affordable housing in either city and then prioritize getting a job to replace her car delivery job in either city so that she and her partner can get along with one or no cars. And then prioritize signing up for subsidized housing wait lists at both housing authorities. Whether this all happens in Duluth or Superior depends on how these priorities play out, not on where the boyfriend's not-great job and the daughter's car-dependent job are. Those are both going to be replaced as things get better. I would focus on stable, affordable housing, wherever, and let the jobs organize around that.
Good luck to you all.
posted by Scarf Joint at 5:37 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
What they need is informed advice about opportunities and tradeoffs. I would start with St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services (for Duluth) and Douglas County Health and Human Services (for Superior). These agencies can offer advice about available benefits and in each place and how tough they are to access, especially if crossing state lines into Minnesota.
They should also check out the Superior Housing Authority and the Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Duluth. Both will have waiting lists for subsidized affordable housing, and they should apply to be on those lists for future housing opportunities. Both will also have advice for transitional housing options for right now.
I assumed that there would be more market-rate low-cost housing in Superior than in Duluth, but it looks like I may be wrong.
Job opportunities: More in Duluth than Superior, but they're kind of one city. There's decent public transit between central Duluth and central Superior.
So I don't think that there's an obvious answer to your Ask. In your daughter's shoes, I think I would prioritize securing affordable housing in either city and then prioritize getting a job to replace her car delivery job in either city so that she and her partner can get along with one or no cars. And then prioritize signing up for subsidized housing wait lists at both housing authorities. Whether this all happens in Duluth or Superior depends on how these priorities play out, not on where the boyfriend's not-great job and the daughter's car-dependent job are. Those are both going to be replaced as things get better. I would focus on stable, affordable housing, wherever, and let the jobs organize around that.
Good luck to you all.
posted by Scarf Joint at 5:37 PM on September 9 [6 favorites]
You've gotten pretty good advice.
We have a safe parking area for folks living in their cars at the Damiano Center. They can also get access to services there.
I also would start hanging out at Loaves and Fishes in Duluth for getting connected. I know they host meals most nights, and you can hang out there during the day if you have nowhere to go, I think. Sobriety required, maybe.
posted by RedEmma at 1:08 PM on September 10 [4 favorites]
We have a safe parking area for folks living in their cars at the Damiano Center. They can also get access to services there.
I also would start hanging out at Loaves and Fishes in Duluth for getting connected. I know they host meals most nights, and you can hang out there during the day if you have nowhere to go, I think. Sobriety required, maybe.
posted by RedEmma at 1:08 PM on September 10 [4 favorites]
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My sister was homeless in MN and able to be placed in a very nice (new, clean) apartment with space for her two children at a reasonable sliding scale price, once she was employed.
Hopefully others have more concrete details / advice but I don’t think moving to MN is going to be a bad choice.
posted by stoneandstar at 3:31 PM on September 9 [8 favorites]