In this edition:
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April 2 MICH webinar highlights the work of DEED and the Department of Corrections on Crossroads to Justice
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"Cuts to HUD are cuts to homes”
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Doing your taxes? Don’t forget about the Child Tax Credit!
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RFPs now open for two MDVA programs, due April 1
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RFP now open for repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless or at-risk youth, due April 17
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RFP now open to integrate housing resources into health and human service delivery systems through Community Living Infrastructure, due May 8
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Minnesota Housing is hiring for Community Reviewer Program Manager position – apply before April 2
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Crossroads to Justice: Implementation Consultant Stephanie Longfield on collaborating with the Department of Human Services
Be sure to join the next monthly webinar on Wednesday, April 2 from 1 - 2 p.m. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us
On the April 2 webinar, hear how homelessness is being addressed through the Crossroads to Justice strategic plan by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Department of Corrections.
The beginning 10 minutes of each monthly webinar will 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.
The next webinar Speakers Bureau will be on Wednesday, April 2 at 1 p.m. There is a monthly prep session held the Tuesday before the webinar. The prep session will be Tuesday, April 1 from 11-11:30 a.m. Follow this link to join the prep session. This is an ongoing opportunity that happens each month. Sign up is required. Please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us or call/text Elizabeth at 651-248-5548 to sign up to speak or with any questions.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho recently shared a commentary in the Star Tribune on the importance of HUD – the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – and the impact of threatened cuts to its budget. Read the full commentary here.
“HUD brings more than a billion dollars in grants and rental assistance to communities across Minnesota every year....
“HUD is one of the critical instruments our nation uses to direct investment into the complex housing ecosystem. It’s how we invest in ourselves and our futures. We’re fortunate to have dedicated public servants doing this work — like those at HUD’s Minneapolis field office, which is currently eyed for a potential closing.
“Housing is the foundation of our lives. If you want to keep our foundation strong, join me by reaching out to your Congress member. Let them know we need more housing from our federal government, not less.”
Beginning with tax year 2024, you may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child, 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. New this year, families can opt-in to receive their credit in three advance payments.
The credit gradually phases out if your income is over $31,090 ($36,880 for Married Filing Jointly).
225,000 families received the credit last year, impacting more than 400,000 children, with the average family seeing about $2,500 in credits.
The Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs (MDVA) has two Request for Proposals posted, due on April 1:
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To set up programming and administer case management services for the OPERATION: Opening Veterans to Every Resource (OVER) program. The goal of OPERATION: OVER is to serve former service members whose needs cannot be met through Veterans Administration (VA) programming, effectively filling a major gap in our community’s homeless program services. The services to be provided include outreach, rapport building, and connections to mainstream resources within the Twin Cities 7-county metropolitan region. The resources are also intended to contribute to the stability of a former service members permanent housing with mental or chemical health support, financial or employment supports, or establishing long-term health care services.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Operation OVER RFP is available online (access the SWIFT portal for this RFP here and/or reference event number H7501-2000016799). View the bid package here.
- To administer the Minnesota’s Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy (MNVEST) program to former service members who are active on the MDVA Homeless Veteran Registry (HVR), and do not qualify for or do not have access to Federal Veterans Administration (VA) services. The goal of the MNVEST program is to provide the assigned former service members intensive case management services and rental assistance throughout the state of Minnesota. The selected contractor will be expected to administer the MNVEST program to the assigned former service members for up to two years, ensuring the former service members successfully maintain permanent housing. Veterans with housing barriers preventing them in finding stable housing through other pathways beyond the two-year mark can be extended in the MNVEST program upon MDVA approval. Respondents must have the capacity to administer the MNVEST program statewide.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, MNVEST RFP is available online (access the SWIFT portal for this RFP here and/or reference event number H7501-2000016798). View the bid package here.
All responses to these solicitations (termed an “Event” within SWIFT) must be submitted through SWIFT using the Supplier portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Training and documentation on how to submit your response is available through the Supplier portal link above. Fax, e-mail, and printed responses will not be accepted or considered.
For assistance with the SWIFT System and posting, responders must contact Minnesota Management and Budget help desk at 651-201-8100, option 1, then option 1 again, or go to MMB Help page. Please be advised that the process to load an event in SWIFT takes time and that the Helpdesk is only available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through the Homelessness, Housing, & Support Services Administration is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to make minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. This RFP is the mechanism by which $2 million dollars for state fiscal years 2026-2027 will be awarded in accordance with 256K.45, subd. 7. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for one (1) or two (2) years, from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, or July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
These funds can be used to make minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to a facility providing services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. Please note:
- Eligible responders must be a current Homeless Youth Act (HYA) funded grantee and be providing a program that specializes in working with young people.
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Grantees are not restricted from applying in the RFP if they received funding in the previous biennium.
- Funding under this RFP is to be distributed statewide to the maximum extent possible.
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The cap on the maximum award amount is $500,000.00, and the STATE anticipates awarding at least four grants.
The Request for Proposals is available on the DHS grants and RFPs page: DHS Grants and RFP website.
Questions? Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be addressed to:
Questions will be addressed in writing and posted on the DHS Grants and RFP website via a link to Responder Questions and Answers.
Submission Deadline: Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., Central Time, on Thursday, April 17, 2025 to Stephanie.A.Martin@state.mn.us. Late proposals will not be considered.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through the Homelessness, Housing, & Support Services Administration is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to integrate housing resources into health and human service delivery systems to support individuals transitioning from segregated settings, experiencing housing instability, or homelessness through Community Living Infrastructure (CLI) funding. This RFP is the mechanism by which Counties, Tribal Nations, County Collaborations, and Tribal Collaborations will have access to the CLI base allocation of $2,685,000 per state fiscal year and $5,370,000 per biennium. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for approximately 24 months, from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2027. Funding under this RFP is to be distributed statewide to the maximum extent possible. There is no cap on the maximum award amount, or the number of awards made by the State.
Eligible activities for the Community Living Infrastructure fund include:
- Outreach and navigation to those who are homeless or residing in segregated settings.
- Capacity building to provide technical assistance and consultation on housing and related support service resources for those living with disabilities, disabling conditions, and are low income.
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Implementing the administration and monitoring activities related to the Minnesota Housing Support funds.
The Request for Proposals is available on the DHS grants and RFPs page: DHS Grants and RFP website.
Questions? Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, April 3, 2025 prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be addressed to:
Questions will be addressed in writing and posted on the DHS Grants and RFP website via a link to Responder Questions and Answers.
Submission Deadline: Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., Central Time, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 to Infrastructure.team.DHS@state.mn.us. Late proposals will not be considered.
Minnesota Housing is hiring for a Community Reviewer Program Manager who will drive the development, implementation, and growth of the new Community Reviewer Program. This new program will include and compensate community consultants -- especially those that have faced housing challenges – to serve as grant reviewers for many of the Agency’s grant programs. This position will sit on the Policy and Community Development Division and be an Agency leader in advancing co-decision-making with communities.
The Application Deadline is April 2,2025.
If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, or to find other careers with the State of Minnesota, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH), bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.
The implementation of this plan is being co-led and co-monitored by 14 paid Implementation Consultants, all people with lived experience of homelessness representing different experiences and different parts of the state. Their expertise and priorities are shaping the daily work of state agencies.
Stephanie is a 34-year-old mother of one. She is an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation and a lifelong resident of Minnesota. She works for the White Earth Tribal Government in the Behavioral Health Division as a Behavioral Health Case Manager. Stephanie holds an Associate of Arts degree from White Earth Tribal and Community College.
Her objective while working with MICH is to expand her knowledge of evidence-based interventions for homelessness to design and implement strategies that effectively address the root causes and support sustainable solutions. She is dedicated to raising public awareness about homelessness in Minnesota, developing campaigns that highlight the council’s efforts and engage the community in supporting our mission.
Stephanie’s reflections on working with the Department of Human Services
“The Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to finding sustainable solutions to end homelessness. As part of this effort, DHS has been actively working to enhance the Grant Administration process. Recently, DHS partnered with Moxie, a consulting group, to identify and implement improvements in this area.
“Through this collaboration, we co-developed several key enhancements, including the introduction of a buddy system, an accountability framework, and job opportunities for individuals with lived experience to actively engage in the process.
“I am proud to have contributed to these improvements, knowing that the positive impact of these changes will continue beyond my time with DHS. My hope is that, together, we can overcome systemic challenges and move toward a future that is more equitable and promising for all.”
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