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Topics and Issues for Providers Serving People Experiencing Homelessness
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September 27, 2022
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Cathy ten Broeke, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Director of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho, are co-chairing the cross-agency Housing Stability Budget Workgroup. The Housing Stability Workgroup is developing budget recommendations that aim to prevent and end homelessness, create a healthy rental market for low-income Minnesotans, and close the disparities in home ownership.
The proposals and frame for this budget package will be grounded in what we have heard from community during weekly webinars and other forums as well as the focus on Housing, Racial, and Health justice for people facing homelessness.
The housing stability budget package will address the broad continuum of shelter and housing needs, organized in these four areas:
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Increasing the amount of housing and shelter
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Addressing the affordability of housing
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Increasing the access of housing and shelter
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Ensuring adequate supports and services
The development of agency proposals is the initial step in the budget development process. Minnesota enacts budgets for a two-year cycle (a biennium), beginning on July 1 of each odd-numbered year. By law, the Governor must propose a biennial budget in January of odd numbered years. During the upcoming 2023 legislative session, the Governor and Legislature will determine how to allocate the available surplus. The Minnesota budget and economic outlook remains positive. A forecast improvement of $1.507 billion for the current biennium leads to a revised projected general fund surplus of $9.253 billion for FY 2022-23 based on the February 2022 forecast.
Join the webinar tomorrow, September 28, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to hear more about the development of the housing stability budget and to share your ideas and thoughts. Ahead of the discussion tomorrow please consider the following questions:
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What is your reaction to the frame for organizing the Housing Stability package?
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What do you most hope to see in the Housing Stability Budget?
If you have any questions about your registration, please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us
We are excited to share that Ann Oliva, the CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, will join the weekly webinar next Wednesday, October 5 from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. Ann is visiting Minnesota October 3-7 as a part of a national tour of listening sessions this fall and next spring. Ann and her team want to hear from those closest to the issue to understand what you and your community are experiencing in this moment. They are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who have experienced homelessness, front line staff, and people involved in local policy making. The webinar will be an open discussion for anyone to share their thoughts and ideas. All our welcome to join the conversation, so help us spread the word with others who may not typically join the webinars!
Wednesday, October 5 is also the standing monthly Speakers Bureau. We will open the listening session next week with the Speakers Bureau and allow any interested individuals who have faced homelessness to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspective. It is helpful if individuals can sign up to share, but it is not required. We will hold a prep session Tuesday, October 4 from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. to talk through the technology and process. Follow this link to join the prep session. Individuals who share on the Speakers Bureau are provided a thank you gift card. Additional details on the Speakers Bureau can be found in this flyer.
The Alliance plans to take what they hear from all the communities to shape their work including legislative advocacy, communications content to the field, and annual conference next July.
The webinar will be an open listening session for anyone to share what they want. Here are some discussion questions to consider ahead of the webinar:
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What are the trends of homelessness that you are seeing in your community and how are your organizations changing practices or developing new approaches to meet those emerging needs?
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How can the Alliance support your work at a local, state, and national level?
Cases among people experiencing homelessness and the staff who support continues to remain steady. The MDH team continues to monitor cases and our team continues to plan alongside local public health and emergency management on ways to be best prepared to support people experiencing homelessness through any future surges. If you are looking for any information or resources you can find information at https://mich.mn.gov/covid-19 or email Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us.
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Participate in CDC Survey on Lice and Flea-borne Diseases among People Experiencing Homelessness. The CDC is looking for shelter staff and street outreach workers to take an anonymous survey (30-45 minutes) about vector-borne diseases spread by body lice and fleas. The CDC will use survey responses to improve efforts aimed at prevention of flea- and louse-borne diseases among persons experiencing homelessness; identify areas for improvement in the provision of services to persons experiencing homelessness; and develop educational materials for homeless service providers. Each survey respondent will receive a Target gift card. If your shelter or outreach team is interested participating in the survey, please email josh.leopold@state.mn.us.
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Heading Home Corps is currently recruiting members for the 2022-23 program year. Heading Home Corps focuses on supporting people who are experiencing homelessness by navigating resources and connecting people with additional supports to help them secure safe and stable housing. Heading Home Corps is accepting member applications until October 5, 2022. Learn more about the position and how to apply at https://www.ampact.us/heading-home. Help spread the word about this opportunity by sharing this informational flyer! For additional questions about service with Heading Home Corps, please contact Recruiter, Avery Hoogenakker, at avery.hoogenakker@ampact.us
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Help us spread the word about a new newsletter for engagement opportunities for people who have faced or are currently facing homelessness. The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness is building a new newsletter list to share opportunities for people who have faced or are currently facing homelessness to share their input, ideas, and expertise. Interested individuals can sign up for the newsletter by filling out this form. We will share a range of opportunities in this newsletter from state agencies and partner organizations and the newsletter will be sent out as opportunities are available. Please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
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