The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless wants to give a huge thanks to all of our advocates for your hard work and dedication during this legislative session. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Legislature has elected not to prioritize funding towards ending homelessness for the 2022 session. Here are the outcomes for our policy agenda items for this year:
2022 MCH Agenda:
$100 million for Shelter Capital
No funding was acquired for Shelter Capital this session, but policy changes were made to support capital improvements for youth shelters.
Task Force on Shelter
The Task Force on Shelter has been given an extension to December of 2022 to complete their important work.
$95 million for the Emergency Services Program
No funding was acquired this legislative session for the Emergency Services Program.
$9 million for the Transitional Housing Program
No funding was acquired for the Transitional Housing Program this session, but changes were made to THP, updating the timeline that people may stay in the program from 24 to 36 months, along with clarifying language around extensions in the program.
$500 million in Bonds for Homes
No funding was acquired this legislative session in Bonds for Homes.
However, despite the lack of funding passed at the capitol this year there were several additional achievements that the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is proud to have led, contributed to or supported. These achievements include but are not limited to:
- Conducting 50 listening sessions with people with lived experience with homelessness, communities, partner organizations & other key stakeholders
- Sending over 3,000 messages to local lawmakers and committee members & making your voices heard on the issues that matter most in the effort to end homelessness
- Lifting up the crucial need to fully fund programs that work to support people experiencing homelessness through over 10 Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor and other articles published in newspapers all across Minnesota
- Engaging in conversations with dozens of different organizations and individual advocates through our Twitterstorm and Tweetchat events that took place toward the end of the legislative session
- $2 million per year in new funding for Shelter Linked Mental Health Grants
- $8.2 million to address veterans homelessness and housing
The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless knows that shelter saves lives and housing ends homelessness. While it is unfortunate that the Legislature elected not to fund these programs during session, we will continue to be tireless in our efforts to advance the policy and systems change needed to prevent and address homelessness. We’re not letting up, and we hope you won’t either.