Coalition Releases Its 2006 Legislative Agenda

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless has a bold vision to end homelessness by addressing the urgent needs of those currently experiencing homelessness while promoting strategies that will prevent homelessness. Both strategies are needed to end homelessness.

The Coalition’s legislative agenda will focus on securing funding, resources, and policy change that will:

1. ensure everyone has safe, decent, affordable housing; and,
2. address the root causes of homelessness by strengthening service systems to better address the varied needs of people before they become homeless.

With these goals in mind, the Coalition has set a legislative agenda for 2006 that addresses current needs, builds momentum for future efforts, and recognizes the special opportunities before us in the 2006 session.

In 2006, the Legislature will not broadly reconsider the state’s two-year budget, which was set in 2005. There may be opportunities to make small changes to the budget, and the Coalition will be prepared to weigh in if those opportunities arise.

Instead, the Legislature will be borrowing money for capital investments in Minnesota’s infrastructure. Called the bonding bill, these investments must be publicly owned, and these resources are hard won.

Additionally, the Legislature has agreed to wait until March 1st to convene, which means the 2006 session will be one month shorter than it normally would be. This leaves less opportunity to maneuver legislation through the process and will make for a hectic pace.

With these considerations in mind, the Coalition has adopted a targeted agenda for maximum impact on our priorities. We will need your active support and advocacy to ensure we meet these goals and build toward a future without homelessness:

• Secure dedicated housing funding through a deed surcharge.
• Pass a technical fix that will ensure more flexible funding for transitional housing operations.
• Pass a $33 million bonding initiative to provide housing for those experiencing long-term homelessness.
• Explore a bonding initiative to invest in transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
• Secure commitment from the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce a study that examines the human impacts of the new block-granting of social services to counties.
• Raise and dedicate new resources to help fund discharge planning for people leaving corrections.
• Secure needed resources for Continuum of Care funding.

To learn more, see the Coalition’s Advocacy page.