Committee lays over bill to add $150 million for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program

Representative Mani Hildsey presented House File 2,144, which would add a one‑time $150 million general fund appropriation and increase base funding for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP), and moved the A1 amendment to set specific appropriation amounts.

The A1 amendment would appropriate $75,900,000 in fiscal 2026 and $75,450,000 in fiscal 2027 to FHPAP and repurpose certain special‑revenue housing support account dollars, producing what the author described as a revenue‑neutral net effect on an existing special revenue account. "This is just not a bill. It is a life savings, cost effective community driven investment in the well‑being of our most vulnerable neighbors," Representative Mani Hildsey said while presenting the measure.

Nut graf: Committee members acknowledged FHPAP’s role as an emergency, locally‑administered program that provides rental, mortgage and utility assistance and other supports, but several members cautioned about state budget constraints and competing priorities. The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote and laid House File 2,144 over for possible inclusion in omnibus legislation.

Supporters described how FHPAP is used statewide and said demand far exceeds current funding. Renee Rock, policy fellow at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, said providers often exhaust funds quickly and applicants sometimes wait until a court date to learn funds are unavailable. "As a housing advocate, I've learned to equate a provider's lack of response mostly to their lack of funding which is typically spent within days," Rock said.

Yvette Isaiya Martinez of Greater Twin Cities United Way told the committee FHPAP funds support coordinated entry, street outreach, prevention and rapid re‑housing and that the 2‑1‑1 helpline fields tens of thousands of housing calls: "Demand for housing resources far exceeds availability. Increased funding is essential for housing stability which benefits families across generations." Committee discussion focused on the program’s demonstrated shortfall relative to need and on budget tradeoffs. Chair Howard noted a Minnesota Housing estimate that the statewide need for rental assistance approaches $350 million per year.

Actions: The committee recorded the following formal actions: Representative Mani Hildsey moved adoption of the A1 amendment; the committee adopted A1 by voice vote. Representative Mani Hildsey then moved to lay House File 2,144, as amended, over for possible inclusion; the committee laid the bill over.

Ending: The committee did not vote final passage on the bill; members said they would continue negotiations about funding levels given a constrained state budget.