$200 Million one-time Investment to Expand and Preserve Shelter Spaces
Shelters in Minnesota lack ongoing state funding for capital needs. Funding the preservation and creation of shelter is key to providing safe, welcoming, accessible, and dignified spaces for people experiencing homelessness all across Minnesota. We support investments into Shelter Capital to improve our current shelters and generate new models to meet the need such as those that are culturally responsive, gender affirming, accessible, and are low barrier; shelter is the first step to finding permanent housing for families, individuals and seniors experiencing homelessness.
$40 million investment for 2024-25, as well as a $70 million investment for 2026-27 in the Emergency Services Program (ESP)
The Emergency Services Program (ESP) is the state’s most flexible source of funding that allows organizations and local communities to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. ESP provides funding that supports shelter operations, outreach, motel vouchers and other key resources and services to support families, individuals, and seniors experiencing homelessness. Investing in ESP helps people transition to a permanent home.
$150 million ongoing investment for the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP)
The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) is designed to provide flexible financial assistance and/or supportive services to families, youth and single adults that are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Investing in FHPAP will prevent homelessness and provide assistance and support for individuals and families in securing and maintaining a permanent home.
$5 million ongoing investment into establishing the Landlord Risk Mitigation Program
Establishing the Landlord Risk Mitigation Program will provide a financial guarantee and case management services to incentivize landlords to rent to a variety of tenants. With a tight rental market, it can be challenging for any renter to find housing, especially for prospective tenants that face barriers to approval based on their credit, criminal, and rental history reports. This investment will help tenants with challenging histories attain and keep a permanent home.
30% income modification for the Housing Support Program
This changes rules for income calculations so that people in the program are not required to pay more than 30% of their income for disability and veterans benefits towards Housing Support costs. Changing these rules will put more cash in the pockets of people in the Housing Support program. This will simplify the calculation and allow program participants to retain limited resources to meet their basic needs and keep a secure home.
$1 billion investment to create and preserve homes
Minnesota can address the full continuum of housing needs and ensure homes for all. Minnesota must address our state’s housing crisis for new homes and preserving public housing. More than 1 in 4 households in Minnesota are housing cost-burdened, an increase of more than 70% since 2000.This investment will build more homes and preserve public housing. This includes $750 million to create affordable housing and $250 million to preserve our public housing