2007 State Legislative Outcomes

Homelessness is not inevitable. Good public policy can help create an environment where homelessness is rare and it is dealt with quickly when it occurs. Good public policy promotes wide-ranging prevention strategies while ensuring a seamless affordable housing and homelessness service continuum. A seamless continuum includes street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing, and a mix of affordable housing options.

MCH advocates for policies that promote a comprehensive, flexible, and appropriate community response to homelessness, and advocates for resources that will be available to all populations (e.g. unaccompanied youth, single adults, families) and communities statewide (e.g. rural, urban, and suburban).

We made considerable progress in our work towards creating good public policy. Highlights from the 2007 Legislative Session include:

Homelessness Prevention Funding Doubled: Governor Pawlenty, House and Senate leaders, and MCH all proposed doubling FHPAP’s permanent resources from $7.43 million to $14.93 million. That’s exactly what we got. This nationally-recognized approach for preventing homelessness will now help even more families.

The “$125 SSI Penalty” Repealed: Full MFIP grants will be restored on 2/1/08 for families with disabled family members. This changes the current practice of cutting a family’s MFIP grant by $125 per month for each disabled family member who receives SSI benefits.

The Runaway & Homeless Youth Act Received $1 Million: Last year, the Legislature passed language reasserting the State has a responsibility to serve unaccompanied youth – youth often left homeless due to abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. This year, the Legislature appropriated $1 million to pay for services these youth need to become stable.

Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill Received $2 Million Increase: Federal rental assistance is in high demand and short supply. The Governor recommended and the Legislature agreed that “Bridges” funding should increase to help those at risk of homelessness who have a severe and persistent mental illness as they await a federal subsidy.

The Police / Provider Homeless Outreach Project Received Funding: Once a pilot project, now a proven state program, the Homeless Outreach Project received $300,000.

Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Long-term Homeless Services Got One-time Increases: Emergency Shelter received a $600,000 one-time bump. Transitional Housing received an added $750,000. The Long-term Homeless Pilot was consolidated into the Long-term Homeless Services Fund. Advocates will return next year to make the one-time funds permanent and to secure full, 2nd-year funding for the Long-term Homeless Services Fund.