State Policy Aids Washington County in Efforts to End Homelessness
MCH advocates for policies that promote a comprehensive, flexible, and appropriate community response to homelessness, and advocates for 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 to improve conditions for persons experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness in Washington County. The successes of the 2007 Legislative Session include:
Homelessness Prevention Funding Doubled
Governor Pawlenty, House and Senate leaders, and MCH all proposed doubling the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program’s (FHPAP) 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.
- Washington County will receive $250,000 for new FHPAP activities for 2008-09.
The “$125 SSI Penalty” Repealed
Full MFIP grants will be restored on 2/1/08 for families with disabled family members receiving Social Security Disability (SSI) benefits. This changes the current practice of cutting a family’s Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) grant by $125 per month for each disabled family member who receives SSI benefits.
- Approximately 7,000 families in Minnesota who were affected by the $125 SSI penalty will be receiving their full MFIP grant. In three quarters of the families affected by the penalty, a parent was receiving SSI money for disabilities who may not reasonably have been expected to earn that extra $125 per month to make up for the penalty.
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.
- While unaccompanied youth funding is not yet dispersed, Washington County providers have funding targeted toward youth in the region that could benefit from this increase.
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 Washington County Bridges program will now serve eighteen families, up from nine in 2006-07.
The Police / Provider Homeless Outreach Project Received Funding
Once a pilot project, now a proven state program, the Homeless Outreach Project received $300,000.
- The Coalition is working on an initiative to expand the outreach project into a state-wide program.
Shelter, Transitional Housing Get 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.
Long-term Homeless Services Gets One-Time Increase
$12 million was granted for Long-term Homeless Services. Advocates won full funding for the first year of the biennium and will return next year to fill any gap in 2nd-year funding.
- The Metro Area, including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties, received $5 Million in DHS Supportive Services Grant Funds for support services to assist people experiencing long-term homelessness to find and maintain housing.