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Senate backs $12M proposal to sustain shelter beds and prevention services, tables bill for budget process
Summary
The Senate approved the finance committee recommendation on SB 113, a DHHS appropriation to fund homeless services and prevention, then laid the bill on the table for budget timing; the bill would provide $12 million a year to sustain shelter beds and $3 million for prevention and directs DHHS to seek Medicaid coverage for supportive housing.
The Senate approved the finance committee recommendation on Senate Bill 113, a Department of Health and Human Services appropriation to sustain homeless shelter capacity and fund prevention services, and then laid the bill on the table so funding can be addressed during the budget process.
Senator Burtzel, presenting the committee report, said SB 113 would provide $12 million per year to sustain existing shelter beds and support additional emergency shelter capacity, and $3 million per year for homeless prevention services. The bill also directs the DHHS commissioner to apply for Medicaid coverage of supportive housing services, enabling providers to bill Medicaid for eligible clients.
Senator Fenton urged passage on humanitarian grounds and described homelessness as a growing crisis that affects veterans, seniors and children. Supporters told senators the bill is intended to keep people in stable housing and to expand access to services that reduce long‑term harm from homelessness.
After a roll call, the Senate adopted the committee recommendation and then, following Finance committee practice for appropriations, the chair moved to lay the bill on the table so it can be considered in the context of the budget. The measure passed and was placed on the finance list for final appropriation decisions.
