Are you licensed? I'm seeing a lot of jobs on the local aia site? 

Yes, and at the same time... not in this state. It's a long story involving the initials NAAB. It's all entry-level. They see 20 years in the work history and my resume goes to the bottom of the pile. 

can you be more specific about your expertise?

For your family's sake I would find a new career path or job that can put your experience to work immediately. Get some income in and look for more stable career options. Other licensed professionals are rarely at the precipice of being priced out of where they are living and houseless. And I include hairstylists.  

If you're willing to relocate to Duluth or Lake Elmo I know DSGW is hiring.  I worked with them for a decade - great people, good firm.  They aren't going to care if your licensing situation, just that you have experience. 

Minnesota. Look at Archinect job post for that state. 3 Jobs from 1 single company. Hold on until a local job opening comes up is difficult in that market area. I bet most senior level jobs are quite permanent in those states. Finding remote work is not that easy. You either have to move, or find another industry. 20+ year experience is pretty valuable to any firm. Simply ditch that experience to find another job is kind of a waste to me. Maybe try the construction or CM industry? Any reason why you can not relocate?

Been all up and down that board. 5-10 years experience translates to 30-40k less a year. And I've had places directly tell me that they don't like hiring people for positions below their 'status' so they wouldn't do it.

Not sure the best way to phrase that so it doesn't sound horrible. Station? Level of achievement? Seniority? AIA Bracket? As it is, the profession has a naming problem... half the time I've got no idea what level of involvement I'm applying for because someone in marketing got creative with job descriptions.

You probably have already, but in case you hadn't thought of it, you might inquire with the MN Board about whether you can appeal directly to the Board itself (i.e. get on the agenda and attend a Board meeting to make your case) - I know this is possible in some states even with a "no license without degree" rule, but I'm not sure about MN.

I get the feeling you're too hung up on specifics, whether it's in the years of experience range or registered professional vs. architect vs. architect licensed in MN. No firm should really care if you're licensed in MN vs another state unless they are going to have you signing drawings (maybe MN is just different though ... if they are, fair enough). Years of experience is just something they do to weed out people who might not be qualified or indicate a salary level they expect to pay. If you can convince them you're worth it, they'll find a place for you.

My advice is to work your network and see what falls when you start shaking the trees. Surely with your experience you've got former coworkers or people who know you all over the twin cities and MN in general (I mean Chad is in CO and knew of something ... your network has to have more leads than this). Start hitting them up for lunch or coffee and asking if they know of anything. You'll find more this way than waiting for job postings to show up on the AIA boards or Archinect. Those are the places the firms go when they don't have direct referrals for new hires. With your experience, you should be getting directly referred for potential positions. If not, there is probably something else going on. 

Did you say you have BIM skills snd knowledge? If you're desperate you could probably land a BIM coordinator or Manager role.

It's kind of my specialty and I've got a few places calling me up once in a while. I can see quite a lot of posting for it as well. Maybe even BIM consultancy.