Session yields modest housing investments; bridge-to-shelter funding did not pass

Indira Filana summarized housing and homelessness outcomes and said some programs received new funding while other priorities were unfunded.

Indira Filana, a government relations representative with the Intergovernmental Relations Department, told the committee that the Legislature added $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds through Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for construction, acquisition or rehabilitation of permanent rental housing. Filana said the Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP) received an additional $8.35 million to provide supportive and financial assistance to families, youth and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness; these funds can cover rent, utility payments or other housing costs.

Filana said the Legislature did not fund a bridge-to-shelter bill that would have provided support for 24/7 shelter operations, diversion programming and housing-focused case management. She said the emergency services program base funding remained intact at $11 million per fiscal year, and an additional proposed increase did not make it into the final package; she noted there were no cuts to that program.

Filana highlighted that nonprofit partner Avivo’s Villages program was approved for a supplemental service rate that will provide a per-bed allocation to support operations and wraparound services at two facilities (one in Minneapolis and one in St. Cloud); she said the rate was currently about $495 per bed.

Why it matters: The housing infrastructure bonds and FHPAP funding expand funding sources for shelter and affordable housing work; failure to secure bridge-to-shelter funding leaves service gaps that county and city partners may need to fill. Council Member Cashman asked for follow-up on allocations to specific local shelters and Filana said she would follow up.