How Stepping Stone Emergency Housing partners with landlords to house people who need a second chance.

If you own rental property in Anoka, Washington or Sherburne County, you’ve probably turned down an applicant because of a past eviction, poor credit, or a gap in rental history. It’s a practical decision, but it also means someone who needed a chance didn’t get one.

Stepping Stone Emergency Housing has spent years building programs that change that equation. Not just for residents- but for the landlords who partner with us.

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Two Programs, One Mission

Stepping Stone operates two distinct Long-Term Housing programs, both designed to bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent independent living. Together they currently serve 117 clients across Anoka and Sherburne counties.

Traditional Long-Term Housing

In our Traditional LTH program, Stepping Stone holds the lease directly with the property owner. Residents- typically two or more individuals sharing a home- live together in a structured environment with consistent staff support.

For landlords, this means:

  • Guaranteed rent payments, paid directly and reliably every month
  • Regular property check-ins from our LTH team, led by Dani Pappas
  • A committed partner invested in maintaining the property and supporting residents

Our team conducts over 360 in-person property visits in Anoka County alone each month. When something comes up, we’re already there.

This program currently operates across 9 multi-occupant houses in Anoka County and we’re actively looking for property owners who want to grow it with us.

Scattered Site Long Term Housing

In our Scattered Site program, led by Tracy Pierce, residents hold their own lease directly with the landlord. Each resident lives independently, one person per property, supported by county housing funding that covers rent and a Stepping Stone case manager who provides ongoing, individualized support.

For landlords, this means:

  • A resident backed by county housing support — rent is covered through a structured funding arrangement
  • Stepping Stone case management providing regular check-ins so residents maintain stable tenancy
  • A single-occupant arrangement — one resident, one lease

This program currently spans 26 properties across Anoka and Sherburne counties, with more being added as the program grows into new communities.

Who Are Our Residents?

The people in our LTH programs are adults who have experienced homelessness and are ready to build stability. They range in age from 18 to 62 and older. Many are working. Some are navigating mental health challenges or a history of housing instability. Some have past evictions or credit challenges that make the traditional rental market difficult to access- not because they’re unreliable, but because the system doesn’t always leave room for a second chance.

Our programs exist to provide that second chance with the support structure that makes it sustainable for everyone involved.

Why Landlords Choose to Partner With Us

The landlords who work with Stepping Stone come for different reasons. Some are drawn by the reliability of guaranteed rent or county-backed payments. Some have watched homelessness grow in their community and want to be part of the solution. Some simply believe that people deserve a chance to prove themselves.

Whatever the motivation, what they find is a genuine partnership. Our staff is available, accountable, and invested in outcomes for residents and for property owners alike.

In Sherburne County alone, we’ve built relationships with nine community organizations that help residents with deposits and essential needs. We connect clients to food shelves, furniture programs, car repair assistance, and more, because stable housing works best when the rest of life is supported too.

What Happens When It Works

When it works, and it usually does, a resident moves from emergency shelter into a home of their own. They build a rental history. They stabilize. And a landlord who took a chance on someone discovers that the partnership was worth it.

That’s what we’re working toward. And we can’t do it without property owners who are willing to be part of it.

Interested in Learning More?

If you own rental property in Anoka, Washington or Sherburne County and want to explore a partnership with Stepping Stone Emergency Housing, we’d love to talk.

Email Dani.Pappas@steppingstoneeh.org or Tracy.Pierce@steppingstoneeh.org or contact us at 763-323-7006.