HF4895

Purpose

Clarify and expand funding for the Homework Starts with Home program to help homeless families, families at risk of homelessness, or highly mobile families, including a targeted grant to support housing stability and homelessness prevention in Minneapolis.

Main Provisions

• The appropriation remains part of the Homework Starts with Home program under Minnesota statutes to provide assistance to homeless families, those at risk of homelessness, or highly mobile families.
• Funding to Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) for the Stable Homes Stable Schools Partnership (SHSSP):
  • For fiscal year 2027: $1,000,000 of the appropriation is designated as a grant to MPHA to support SHSSP, which aims to provide housing stability and homelessness prevention services for families with school-aged children in Minneapolis.
  • The grant for 2027 is not limited by typical guidelines, requests for proposals, scoring criteria, or competitive selection requirements.
  • For fiscal years 2028 and 2029: MPHA must receive a grant of $2,000,000 each year for SHSSP.
  • These appropriations are available until expended.
• The base funding for the SHSSP in fiscal year 2028 and beyond is $2,000,000 per year.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Increases and specifies the allocation of funds within the Homework Starts with Home program to directly support the SHSSP in Minneapolis.
• Removes normal competitive selection constraints for the 2027 SHSSP grant to MPHA, allowing a direct grant without standard bidding or proposal requirements.
• Establishes a multi-year funding framework (2027 through 2029, with a $2,000,000 base from 2028 onward) for SHSSP.

Expected Impact

• Enhanced housing stability for families with school-aged children in Minneapolis.
• Expanded homelessness prevention services through a dedicated partnership between MPHA and schools.
• More predictable, ongoing funding for SHSSP beginning in 2028, stabilizing support beyond a one-year grant.

Implementation Notes

• The appropriations are available until expended, meaning funds do not expire at a specific date as long as they are unspent.
• The changes specifically override standard competitive selection processes for the 2027 SHSSP grant.

Relevant Terms Homework Starts with Home; Minneapolis Public Housing Authority; Stable Homes Stable Schools Partnership; housing stability; homelessness prevention services; families with school-aged children; homeless families; at risk of homelessness; highly mobile families; appropriation; not withstanding; competitive selection requirements; available until expended.