On March 30, 2023, Governor Walz signed into law a bill that provides $50 million to prevent family homelessness. The funds expand the existing Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP), managed by Minnesota Housing and administered by 20 counties, Tribal Nations and community assistance programs and their subgrantees, provide coverage across the state. The program typically distributes $10 million in state appropriations per year.
Minnesota Housing program staff state the program is currently able to serve about 10% of those eligible for it. “The need is so great that our administrators typically run out of funds the first week of each month,” says Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho. “With the $50 million we’ll be able to serve another 20,000 families. That’s tremendous.”
Existing program administrators will be eligible to receive further funds to distribute in their communities based on their organizational capacity and regional need.
Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan’s budget recommendations includes an additional $50 million increase in FHPAP for 2024-2025, and both the Senate and House proposed budget bills include additional funding for the next two years.
Minnesota residents experiencing a housing crisis may be eligible for help with their rent, utilities or other housing costs if their income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Those interested in applying are encouraged to reach out to the administrator in their region. Minnesota Housing staff will join the webinar tomorrow, April 5, from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. to provide an update and answer questions.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) time-limit work rules will be enforced beginning July 1, 2023. The time limits were previously waived due to the national public health emergency. These rules limit certain individuals to three months of SNAP benefits in a fixed 36-month period, unless they meet work requirements. Work requirements typically include participating in work activities for 80 hours per month. Individuals can request an exemption from the rules, which if granted, means they would not be subject to the rules or time limit.
Historically, a number of individuals facing homelessness have lost SNAP benefits due to these rules and the DHS team would like to better support people facing homelessness and prevent them from a loss of benefits. The SNAP team will join the monthly webinar tomorrow, April 5, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to discuss how they can partner with homeless shelter providers and advocates to facilitate exemption requests for people experiencing homelessness, which is a common exemption from the SNAP time limits. Join the webinar to learn more and share your thoughts.
SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. The program provides support to help stretch a household food budget. It is not intended to meet all a household's food needs. It is a supplement. Learn more at the SNAP page on the DHS website.
If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us. If you cannot attend the webinar, all materials and recordings are shared here: https://mich.mn.gov/webinars.
The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) at the Department of Human Services (DHS) has two Requests for Proposals (RFP) open for funding to support the work to prevent and end homelessness.
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The Homelessness Assistance Grants RFP is now open. This RFP includes the Emergency Services Program (ESP), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Homeless Youth Act (HYA), Transitional Housing Program (THP). Applicants can apply to provide Outreach, Drop-in Center/Day Shelter, Emergency Shelter, Scattered-Site Transitional Housing & Rapid Re-Housing, Site-Based Transitional Housing, and/or Permanent Supportive Housing services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the state of Minnesota. View the RFP document to see the broad range of activities these funds can support. Responders can request funding for more than one activity and/or program. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for two (2) years, from July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2025. Proposals are due Thursday, April 13, 2023 by 4:00 p.m. Find the full RFP at: Grants and RFPs / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov). Questions on this RFP can be sent to Andrea.simonett@state.mn.us.
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The Shelter-Linked Mental Health RFP is now open. This request for proposals is to deliver culturally and developmentally appropriate Shelter-Linked or shelter-based mental health services to youth for the time period of July 1, 2023-June 30, 2025. The target population for services are youth who are uninsured or underinsured and are served by a Safe Harbor Shelter and Housing provider, and/or Homeless Youth Act (HYA) provider. The RFP can be found at Grants and RFPs / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov). Proposals are due Thursday, April 27, 2023. If you have any questions about the RFP or Shelter-Linked Mental Health, in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to Casey.yanta@state.mn.us.
There are numerous proposals currently working their way through the legislative process at the state Capitol this session that could result in substantial increases to OEO managed housing and homeless grant programs. Important Note: These RFPs are the avenues to apply for all the funding sources including base funding AND any increases to OEO grant programs approved in this legislative session. Share this flyer and help spread the word about the RFPs and the message that now is the time to apply!
Given that there could be increased funding levels through the legislative session, DHS is encouraging current and potential new providers to think about submitting funding requests that can:
- Sustain Programming
- Expand Program Capacity (e.g., increase number of available units, increase number of households served, etc…)
- Enhance Program Services (e.g., add housing navigator or mental health supports, increase staffing level, etc…)
- Enhance Staff Compensation/Support (e.g., increased training, increased wage/benefits for existing staff, increasing self-care opportunities, etc…)
- Develop New Programs
ServeMinnesota and Ampact support Minnesota's AmeriCorps programs and have two opportunities for organizations supporting people facing homelessness and opportunities for people to serve as member and support Minnesotans with housing stability. Join the webinar tomorrow from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. to learn more about these opportunities from staff and a Heading Home Corps member.
Summer Impact Corps is a new program launching this summer to connect housing, climate, and youth-serving organizations with summer-only AmeriCorps members. AmeriCorps members serving in housing stability roles will serve full-time for twelve weeks in flexible positions and can assist organizations with:
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Implementing housing and related services that promote stability for participants,
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Helping people access food services such as food pantries, meal deliveries, or meal programs,
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Researching and connecting people to resources that promote stability in housing,
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Conducting outreach about housing services or other basic needs resources to unhoused individuals in a supervised setting, and
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Creating a welcoming environment to greet individuals seeking assistance.
Summer Impact Corps will provide AmeriCorps members with basic training, a living stipend of $1,100 every two weeks, a scholarship called an Education Award, and access to health insurance and childcare reimbursement at no cost to the AmeriCorps member. If you are interested in serving as a member, complete the application by May 5, 2023 to serve from May 22 to August 12 or by May 17, 2023 to serve from June 5 to August 26.
Help spread the word with organizations who would benefit from the extra help this summer! Partner organizations do not pay a fee to host Summer Impact Corps AmeriCorps members. Organizations can submit an application to partner here. Partner applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis until April 14 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Contact Chue Xiong, Program Director, with questions about the program.
Heading Home Corps is currently recruiting members for the 2023-24 program year, and has start dates available in August, October or January. Heading Home Corps places a Housing Resource Navigator (AmeriCorps member) at a service site to support individuals experiencing homelessness - navigating resources and supports to secure safe and stable housing. The position works to establish a relationship with each individual on their caseload and will work with that individual to assess their unique needs, set goals, and sit side-by-side to help navigate resources to overcome barriers and ultimately achieve their goals.
Navigators will serve one term of service in full-time or part-time capacity (40, 35 or 25 hours per week). Full-time members (40 hours/week) receive a stipend of $1,100 every two weeks, a scholarship called an Education Award of up to $6,495, and access to health insurance and childcare reimbursement at no cost to the AmeriCorps member. View the position description to learn more. If you are interested in serving as a member, submit an application by August 9, 2023 for a start date of August 28, by October 4, 2023 for a start date of October 23, and by December 13, 2023 for a start date of January 25, 2024.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) invites applicants to apply for a grant opportunity through the American Rescue Plan: Homeless Children and Youth Act. This grant program is for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) serving students experiencing homelessness in partnership with public school districts and charter schools. Grant funds support wraparound services to prevent and end homelessness to:
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Increase outreach and identification of children and youth experiencing homelessness as defined above; and who have been impacted by COVID-19 and/or have chronic absenteeism and/or are at risk of dropping out.
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Provide homeless children and youth with wraparound services in light of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including academic supports, trauma informed care, social-emotional support, and mental health services.
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Assist in addressing the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness to enable their enrollment and attendance in school and full participation in school activities.
Applicants must demonstrate a successful history of working directly with public school districts and charter schools. For application materials and more information, visit the Request for Proposals webpage. If you have any questions about this grant, please contact the program specialist Leigh Schleicher, Supervisor of Student Access and Opportunity Division, at Leigh.Schleicher@state.mn.us or 651-582-8326. Applications are due April 21, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Cases among people experiencing homelessness and the staff who support continues to remain steady this week. 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 support including emergency staffing or outbreak response funding, visit https://mich.mn.gov/state-and-federal-funding-resources.
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The beginning 10 minutes of each monthly webinar continues to be held to hear from the Speakers Bureau. Anyone who has lived experience of homelessness is welcome to sign-up to share through the Speakers Bureau. This is open time each month for lived experience experts to share ideas and feedback with the webinar audience. Additional details can be found on this flyer. This is an ongoing opportunity that happens each month on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Sign up is required. Please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us or call/text Elizabeth at 651-248-5548 to sign up to share or with any questions.
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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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