Senate File 2792, introduced by Senator Mohammed, would expand eligibility for the Minnesota Housing Challenge Program to include contract alternative schools and tribal schools, allowing them to receive grants up to $100,000.

Senator Mohammed said the change would broaden access to a program that pairs student construction pathways with production of affordable housing. "The policy change comes at an additional cost to the state and has strong support from educators, housing advocates, and community leaders," he said.

Kalik Rogers, executive director of Catalyst for Systems Change, testified that the amendment does not require extra funds but clarifies eligibility language so contract alternative schools can apply. Jill Johnson, executive director of Change Inc., said Gap School (a contract alternative school in Saint Paul) operates a YouthBuild model that teaches construction skills and has built single‑family homes sold to low‑income families; about 50 students participate in the construction pathway and Gap School enrolls roughly 140 students overall.

A Gap School student described moving from Vietnam to enroll in the school’s construction program, said the pathway enabled them to earn a diploma and construction skills and expressed pride in work on neighborhood homes.

Committee members expressed support and light‑hearted questions about construction work; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus. The transcript does not record a vote.