Bill Would Fund Critical Need for Homeless Youth Shelter and Services

For the 10,000 youth in Minnesota who experience homelessness each year, the past few years have been especially tough.

The 2003 Legislature balanced the budget on the backs of homeless and at-risk youth, among other vulnerable populations, and eliminated funding for programs that served them. Then the federal government eliminated funding in some parts of the state for the youth transitional living program.

At the same time, cities and counties were given added responsibilities with fewer resources while foundations, faith-based organizations, and other private funders were being stretched thin.

The Governor’s plan to address homelessness hardly acknowledged homeless youth and did even less to serve them. The President’s rhetoric on ending homelessness is aimed at the stereotypical single adult in urban areas, at the expense of children, youth, families, and rural communities.

This year, things are looking up. The Governor’s budget included funding for a fraction of the homeless youth population by providing resources to support youth transitioning out of foster care that are at-risk of homelessness. His plan would assist 600 youth each year in developing their individual living plan, basic skills, and providing housing support.

Bills have been introduced in both the House (Rep. Clark – HF 2150) and Senate
(Sen. Kiscaden – SF 2004) to put $2.4 million of the TANF reserve fund into serving homeless and at-risk youth for the 06-07 biennium.

Although these bills still have many hurdles to go through before they are passed, there are people across the political spectrum who are showing their support of youth.

The Minnesota Youth Service Association (MYSA), a collection of youth providers, has been researching legislation across the country and, with the help of law students under the supervision of Rich Wayman, has drafted a comprehensive Minnesota Youth Advancement Act and are just beginning a campaign to get the measure passed in a future legislative session.

This past weekend, more than 200 high school students participated in Box City Vigil, a sleep-out and speak-out at the State Capitol, to raise awareness of homeless youth issues. Participants called Senate and House Leadership as well as key committees to encourage passage of HF 2150/SF2004.

Contact Liz Kuoppala to get involved in youth advocacy.