Governor Dayton released his 2016-17 budget proposal this week. The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless praises Governor Dayton’s support for children and families. Top budget priorities include a child care tax credit, statewide pre-k, and wrap around school services. Here’s what we’re watching:
HOMES FOR ALL
- $2.5M increase for Bridges (rental assistance for individuals with serious mental illness who are eligible for Section 8)
- $FY16 – $1.5m, FY17 $3m (ongoing) for Housing with Supports for Adults with Mental Illness (Grant program for housing developers, county mental health authorities, and tribes to increase the availability of supportive housing)
PROSPERITY FOR ALL
- No changes to MFIP
RELATED
- Proposal would end direct appropriations to three nonprofit organizations and reallocate funds to MHFA programs.
- $540,000 reallocated to Capacity Building program (organizations could apply for funds)
- $350,000 reallocated to the Housing Trust Fund (rental assistance)
- GRH reform: • 2015: Increase program integrity and quality assurance, and begin building the infrastructure necessary to offer housing assistance and to allow housing and services to be independent of each other. • 2016: Revise eligibility criteria, and simplify and standardize rules. • 2017: Offer housing assistance and make services available for the new housing assistance recipients by combining GRH and MSA Shelter Needy and offer subsidies
- $1.15M for Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS)
Governor Dayton’s budget proposal for Human Services is posted here. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency budget proposal is posted here.
Our work is just beginning this session. We’re advocating for a $39M increase to prevent homelessness and create housing and a $100/mo. increase in MFIP cash support. Sign up for weekly statewide conference calls to plug into advocacy campaigns and stay connected.
Join us at the Capitol for Homeless Day on the Hill, March 12, 2015. Register today! www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/advocate