Bridge-to-Shelter Act proposed to fund emergency shelter, county and tribal homelessness response

Senate File 2124, the Bridge to Shelter Act, was presented March 13, 2025, as a multi-pronged investment to reduce unsheltered homelessness by providing funding for emergency services, county and tribal homelessness response, and county-to-county capacity building.

Senator Mohammed, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would establish three buckets of funding: increased Emergency Services Program grants for providers, dedicated funds for counties and tribes, and capacity-building resources that help counties share best practices and technical assistance. “This bill invests in successful strategies,” she said, noting that areas that have scaled outreach, diversion and navigation have seen decreases in unsheltered populations.

Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis described the city’s partnership with Hennepin County and service providers, saying expanded funding would sustain low-barrier shelters and 24/7 operations and increase housing-focused case management and shelter diversion services. “When you provide that kind of comprehensive care, when you truly wrap your arms around an individual, you can ultimately see success,” Frey said.

Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran urged state support for counties, noting Ramsey’s investments using ARPA and CARES funds and stressing that county shelters frequently serve people from across the state, not only county residents. Provider testimony from Bemidji’s Nameless Coalition for the Homeless and a long-term shelter resident emphasized staff shortages, rising demand and the human impacts of homelessness.

Supporters said the bill would keep shelters operating, fund outreach and navigation, expand extreme-weather capacity, and provide funds to maintain shelter staff and 24/7 operations. The committee laid Senate File 2124 as amended over for possible inclusion and further fiscal review.