Skip to main content
Basic Needs

Houses - Photo by Curtis Adams from Pexels

Housing and Utilities

If you are moving to Winona or Red Wing for school and need a place to live, check out our resources for off-campus housing

If you are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness or need financial assistance for housing, please consider using any of these resources below. 

Winona Community HUB: The Winona Community HUB provides health education and connection to community resources, addressing health risks and creating a path to wellbeing. Free for Winona County residents experiencing food insecurity, mental health concerns, housing insecurity, or 5+ emergency department visits in the past 12 months. 

Semcac: Semcac provides various resources for housing and utilities assistance including homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing with rental assistance, housing rehab loan programs, rental properties and the Bluff Country HRA. For residents in Dodge, Filmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Steele and Winona Counties. 

Three Rivers Community Action: Provides homeless prevention assistance, rapid re-housing with rental assistance, and some long-term assistance programs. For residents of Goodhue, Olmsted, Rice, or Wabasha Counties. 

HOPE Coalition: The HOPE Coalition in Red Wing works with people facing extraordinary trauma including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and inability to meet their basic needs. They can offer a secure emergency shelter for people fleeing domestic violence, referrals to regional homeless shelters, rental assistance, motel/food/transportation vouchers, utility assistance, clothing, hygiene products, diapers/wipes, etc. If shelter is needed for families or children, please call 651-380-0609.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP): A federal program to help pay heating and electricity bills for qualified households. Homeowners may also be eligible for a free heating system repair or replacement. People who are approved for the EAP are automatically screened for participation in the Weatherization Assistance Program.

  • Semcac  for residents in Dodge, Filmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Steele and Winona Counties.
  • Three Rivers Community Action for residents of Goodhue, Olmsted, Rice, or Wabasha Counties.

MNBenefits: (LINK TO: https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/) Apply for state benefits easily online by completing one application in less than 20 minutes. Programs include SNAP (food assistance), emergency assistance, cash programs, housing support, and child care assistance. 

FindHelp.org: (LINK TO: https://www.findhelp.org/) A free search engine to help find assistance programs that help with food, housing, transportation, child care, paying bills, and other free or reduced-cost programs. 

United Way 211: A statewide basic needs resource hub that provides students from Minnesota access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text, or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Text MNHELP to 898-211 (TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709).

Homeless Resources

Hope & Harbor: An overnight homeless shelter in Red Wing for those over age 18 offering shelter from November through March from 6pm-7:30am. Call 651-764-4294 for the location. 

Winona Community Warming Center: An overnight homeless shelter in Winona for those over age 18 offering shelter November 1 through March 31 from 9pm-7am. Located at 69 E. 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987.

Winona Community Day Center: An emergency day shelter for those over age 18 in Winona. Call 507-474-4090 for the hours. Located at 151 E. 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987.