Minnesota’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is the data tool used to facilitate housing referrals and evaluate programs that serve individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through a community-engaged process, Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) and Minnesota’s HMIS Governing Board selected a new software solution that will better meet our communities’ needs today and that will keep pace as those needs evolve.
The software change will happen this summer. To prepare for the change, ICA will temporarily reduce operations. This means ICA will pause activities like user training (with a few exceptions) and the Quarterly Data Quality Monitoring process.
What can you do to prepare?
- If your agency uses HMIS, keep entering client data.
- Make sure your agency’s leadership knows about this change. See the transition announcement video for ways you might prepare.
- Plan to set aside time to learn the new software this summer.
ICA will be presenting and fielding questions on this change during the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness monthly webinar TOMORROW, April 3 at 1 p.m.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated their website and guidance documents to reflect the new Respiratory Virus Guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 1st. Visit the Congregate Settings webpage for links to resources, including CDC’s new guidance, and for a new Quick Reference Viral Respiratory Guidance which answers some of the most common questions when responding to respiratory illness in homeless service sites.
Be part of the monthly webinar on April 3 from 1-2 p.m. where we’ll cover:
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Changes to HMIS
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Guidance from Minnesota Department of Health for homeless service sites to align with CDC Respiratory Guidance
- The latest on measles and varicella (chicken pox) from the Minnesota Department of Health
- Reminder! The Speakers Bureau, open time for people with lived experience of homelessness to share their ideas, happens every month. Sign up is required, so if you're interested in speaking, reach out to Elizabeth at elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us | (651) 248-5548
As of April 1, 2024, moving expenses are a covered service under Housing Stabilization Services. Moving Expenses are for people receiving Housing Stabilization-Transition services and are transitioning out of a Medicaid funded institution or leaving a provider-operated living arrangement and moving into their own home. Providers can now submit all Housing Stabilization Services requests, including requests for Moving Expenses, using the Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Request (DHS-7948) online form. Please visit the DHS Housing Stabilization Services policy webpage for additional information about moving expenses and email dhshousingstabilization@state.mn.us if you have questions.
Applications are open through April 25, 2024 to provide funding for state, local, and tribal governments to use performance- or outcomes-based contracting for permanent supportive housing to enhance or implement clinical services and other evidence-based responses to improve reentry, reduce recidivism, and address the treatment and recovery needs of people with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders who are currently or were formerly involved in the criminal justice system. Learn more and apply for this funding at: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/o-bja-2024-171999
Child Tax Credit: Beginning with tax year 2023, you may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child under age 18, with no limit on the number of children claimed. This is a refundable credit, meaning you can receive a refund even if you do not owe tax. It does not count as income for public benefits. Learn more at the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Child Tax Credit webpage.
Working Family Credit: The Working Family Credit is available to Minnesotans who earned income, which includes wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment earnings from working during the year. This credit is Minnesota’s counterpart to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The maximum Working Family Credit is $350 if your earned income is $8,750 or more, and it can increase by:
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$350 for no qualifying children
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$1,275 for one qualifying child
- $2,450 for two qualifying children
- $2,850 for three or more qualifying children
How to claim these credits: For tax years 2022 and earlier, claim the Working Family Credit using Schedule M1WFC, Minnesota Working Family Credit. The Child Tax Credit is not available until tax year 2023. For tax years 2023 and later, claim both the Child and Working Family Tax Credits using Schedule M1CWFC, Minnesota Child and Working Family Credits, available in the next filing season.
Both the Child and Working Family Credits are phased out if your income is over $29,500 or $35,000 for Married Filing Jointly. The credit is reduced by 12% of earned income or adjusted gross income, whichever is greater.
Governor Walz Announces Minnesota Receives Federal Recognition for Work to End Veterans Homelessness
Congratulations to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) for receiving the Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans for their work to end veterans homelessness. Additionally, four Minnesota veterans homes received a national customer experience award for the sixth year in a row.
“Minnesota is on track to become the fourth state to end veterans homelessness, and we’re using a nation-leading outreach program to reach that goal,” said Governor Tim Walz. “I’m proud of our team at MDVA who are dedicated to connecting veterans to their critical benefits. This recognition reflects Minnesota’s commitment to providing the best services and care for our veterans.”
Detailed Data Counts from the Wilder Research Minnesota Homeless Study Now Available
Wilder Research has released the results of the 2023 Minnesota Homeless Study and detailed data counts by geographic region, which includes counts for people in shelter and those not in shelter. Coming later this spring/summer, they will begin releasing the wealth of data provided by 4,600 people who were interviewed in October for the MN Homeless and the Reservation Homeless studies.
The Wilder study once again reminds us that across Minnesota there are far too many of our neighbors and relatives who are experiencing homelessness. Our work is not done and we are committed to continuing to invest in and support people experiencing homelessness. We are grateful to Wilder and the individuals who completed in-depth interviews which help us better understand the experiences of people facing homelessness. We look forward to the insights that Wilder will share in the coming months, as all of this data helps inform how we do our work and tailor the solutions that meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
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