By Adam Belz Star Tribune November 28, 2016 — 9:08amA long-term drop in crime, combined with a concentration of high-wage jobs and a renewed preference for urban life among highly educated workers, have made the city's core more desirable. Complete article here.
Housing for ALL invites you to their first Annual Breakfast with Legislators
on Tuesday, January 17th, 7:00-9:00 AM, at St Joseph the Worker Church. Meet with your state and local policy makers to build relationships and proclaim as people of faith that Every One Needs a Home! The session will consist of short state and local policy presentations. A continental breakfast will be provided. Constituents will have the opportunity to meet with their legislators and local policy makers, ask questions and dialogue about housing and other issues of concern. Please contact Roxanne Smith at 763-400-7208 or rsmith@sjtw.net with questions or to RSVP.
MICAH Legislative Success!!!
updated 5-24-16
Thank you for your prayers, phone calls and visits this Session
Bills supported by MICAH that passed and were sent to the Governor for signature on Sunday:
In the Equity Bill: MN Housing Finance Agency
- $250,000 Landlord Guarantee Fund Pilot (Risk Mitigation) in FHPAP(Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program)
- $3 million for first-time home buyers down payment closing cost assistance
- $500,000 for expansion of Family Stabilization Plan Program in the HOME Law Activities (Designated to Build Wealth) "an organization that receives one time appropriation is not eligible for the competitive grant." said Chair Garofalo.
- $500,000 for homeownership capacity training in the HOME Law Activities
DEED (Department employment and Economic Development)
- $1.5 Million in 2017 Latino Communities United in Service (CLUES) for expansion of culturally tailored programs that address employment and education skills gap. $1.5 Million 2018-19 Biennium.
- $2 Million FY 2017 split between Youthprise and Somalian Youth Program
In Jobs and Economic Development Bill:
- $500,000 in FY17 for rental assistance pilot for exploited women and children (SF311)
- $500,000 in FY17 for housing projects with training centers for jobs in high-growth areas (SF1909)
- $750,000 in FY17 for workforce and affordable homeownership program (SF3167)
- Changes to FHPAP (Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program)
a. Change to FHPAP, under definition of families, raises the age to 24
b. Change to FHPAP allowing tribes, or groups of tribes, to apply
Department of Human Rights
$184,000 for creation of an office in Greater MN - St. Cloud. The Federal Government will provide some matching funds and bring the total to about $525,000.
Department of Human Services
- Homeless Youth Act, $33,000 in FY17, and $2.9million in 18-19 biennium
- Safe Harbor, increases eligibility to age 24, $33,000 in FY17 and $1.5million in 18-19 biennium for DHS
Tax Bill
Working Family Credit: $49 million expansion of the Working Family Tax Credit. This expansion provides an important income boost to about 386,000 Minnesota families and individuals with modest incomes across the state, and provides the largest benefits to the most struggling families.
Bills Signed into Law
SF 2555 Granny Pods signed into Law by the Governor 5-12-16.Provides Immediate and Short term housing options for seniors with their families (6 months with potential extension of 6 months)
NO BONDING OR TRANSPORTATION BILL was passed.
We are waiting to hear what the plan is by the Governor and leadership. In the last hour of the regular Legislative Session the House included $45 Million in their bonding for housing (1/2 Governor's request and about 1/3 of Homes for All request). That bill failed.
Thank you for your advocacy last week- the House went from $0 in their bonding bill for housing on Thursday to $45 million Sunday night!
Are you in a housing crisis? If you are facing foreclosure, can't find a place to live, or have other tenant issues, check our list of links here. MICAH does not directly help with these issues.