Alexandra Zozo advocates for funding family supportive housing in Minnesota

In a poignant testimony at the Minnesota Legislature's Committee on Health and Human Services meeting, Alexandra Zozo shared her family's harrowing journey through homelessness and the transformative impact of supportive housing. Zozo, a resident of Vista 44, recounted how her family was forced to leave their home due to asbestos, leading to a heartbreaking separation from her children. Her son stayed with his father in an unsafe environment, while her daughter lived separately, causing a rapid decline in the girl's mental health.

Desperate for help, Zozo reached out to the Domestic Abuse Project, which connected her to Vista 44. Upon visiting, she was struck by the facility's security and welcoming atmosphere. "For the first time in a long time, I felt relief," she said, emphasizing the importance of stability for her family. The supportive housing not only reunited them but also provided a foundation for her daughter’s recovery, who had been hospitalized shortly after their move.

Zozo's testimony underscored the critical need for funding in family supportive housing, as she urged lawmakers to support a bill aimed at closing the state funding gap. "Every family deserves a chance to rebuild, to heal, and to thrive," she stated, highlighting the broader implications of supportive housing in combating homelessness.

Senator Abler echoed her sentiments, noting the long-standing benefits of supportive housing programs and the potential for significant cost savings in the long run. He emphasized the need for a legitimate return on investment (ROI) analysis to advocate for continued funding. Other committee members, including Senator Port, stressed the urgency of fully funding both housing and services to prevent the loss of vital providers in Minnesota's supportive housing system.

As the meeting concluded, Senator Bolden reiterated the pressing need for resources, revealing that nearly 5,000 families with children experience homelessness in Minnesota on any given night. The committee laid over the bill for further consideration, leaving a sense of hope that the voices of families like Zozo's will lead to meaningful change in the state's approach to housing and support services.