Getting Excited About Housing Infrastructure Bonds (Really!)

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on April 3, 2012

    In its 2012 report on rent affordability, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition outlined the gaps between average household wages and the cost of renting an apartment. Released in March, the Out of Reach report revealed that Minnesota had the least affordable rent for minimum wage workers out of all the surrounding 12 Midwest states.       

    Partly in response to the low supply of affordable housing options and high rent burdens for people living in poverty, Minnesota’s supportive housing providers often seek to construct or rehabilitate housing structures to expand the supply of housing units.  In the last couple of years, we have seen the completion of several new housing developments that focused on homeless populations:

    Better Buildings and Solid Plans

    The construction and rehabilitation of supportive housing developments often rely on state bonds.  While progress is being made, the recent recession has increased homelessness and demand for affordable housing.  Needless to say, the supply of affordable housing has been a key priority at the State Capitol this year for homeless and housing advocates.

    Because Minnesota’s 2012-2013 budget was decided in last year’s special summer session, the 2012 legislative session focuses mainly on bonding proposals.  Advocates hoped to see affordable housing bonds included in the proposals to help finance new affordable and supportive housing projects, and to preserve existing sites.

    Last year, several housing, homelessness, and other organizations started working together to promote affordable housing for all Minnesotans.  The Homes for All campaign has advocated for $40 million in affordable housing bonds–$30 million for affordable and supportive housing infrastructure, and $10 million for public housing preservation.  They’ve been working hard to get their message out, and a new documentary from TPT (with an interview from Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak) describes and gives concrete examples of existing affordable housing projects.

    Our Chance to Improve Affordable Housing

    The response at the State Capitol has been positive, though mixed.  Bills were introduced in the House and Senate with bipartisan support that would provide $40 million in affordable housing bonds, though they have not yet been passed.  While Governor Dayton’s capital budget recommendations included $32 million in housing infrastructure bonds, the House omnibus bonding bill proposed only $15 million.  Fortunately, the Senate’s bonding bill released last Wednesday includes $36 million for affordable housing.

    If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, please call your State Representative or Senator today and ask them to support the Senate’s bonding proposal of $36 million for housing infrastructure.  The bonds will not only contribute to local efforts to end homelessness, but will create jobs!  You can find your Representative and Senator by calling 651-296-2146 or by clicking here.

    Affordable, public, and supportive housing—however you want to classify or think about it—really does benefit everyone in the community. From people in deep poverty facing homelessness to lower and middle class workers, communities need to ensure that affordable housing is available for families and individuals when they need it.  Affordable housing stock and rental properties are being strained by the increase in foreclosures, extremely low vacancies, stagnant wages, and other factors—this is our chance to improve affordable housing infrastructure across the state.

    If you want to keep up-to-date on the housing bond proposals, please sign up to receive Hearth Connection’s Legislative update newsletter.  You can also follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #bond4housing.

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    The Commitment to Evaluation: New Research on Children in Supportive Housing

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on February 15, 2012

    When I became the Executive Director of Hearth Connection in 2010, I was excited to become part of a nonprofit committed to best practices, results, and accountability.  Hearth Connection’s approach to ending homelessness and improving the well-being of participants continues to be driven by data and informed by research. 

    We must keep our focus intent on solutions. Knowing the effects of homelessness is critical, but we also must continue evaluation to ensure targeted interventions and housing programs are promoting families’ and individuals’ success over time. I would like to share a new research study with you that helps us explore and begin to understand the full impact of supportive housing on children who have experienced long-term homelessness.

    MinnLink Child Study Report Cover

    "The Role of Supportive Housing in Homeless Children's Well-Being," 2012, University of Minnesota CASCW

    Insight on Children in Homeless Families 

    The Wilder Research Center’s one day count in October 2009 found over 3,200 children experiencing homelessness in Minnesota—the highest level since the count began in 1991. We all know about the importance of supporting children during development and adolescence, so the question arises: how can we help children achieve success after experiencing homelessness?

    A few years ago, Hearth Connection partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) to take an in-depth look at the well-being of children in supportive housing. Looking at educational and child welfare outcomes over a three year period, the study compared results of 3rd to 6th graders in Hearth Connection’s supportive housing program with peers who were also identified as homeless.  The study concluded that over time, children in homeless families with access to permanent housing and supportive services show promising results in safety and school stability.

    The University’s study found that children receiving supportive housing services experienced the following general trends:children, reaching up hands 

    • Decreased school transfers
    • Higher attendance rates
    • Decreased involvement in reports of abuse or neglect
    • Decreased out-of-home placements

    We believe this study is one of the first of its kind in reviewing longitudinal outcome measures for children in permanent supportive housing who have experienced long-term homelessness. While more longitudinal research is needed, the positive trends (despite study limitations) are very encouraging. The University of Minnesota’s study calls for further research and investment in supportive housing approaches for children and families experiencing homelessness.

    All children receiving supportive housing in the study were enrolled in Hearth Connection’s Northeastern, Metropolitan, or Southern regional long-term homeless projects and received supportive services through local service partners.  To learn more about the study, “The Role of Supportive Housing in Homeless Children’s Well-Being: An Investigation of Child Welfare and Educational Outcomes,” please check out:

    -the child welfare brief                   - education brief                – full report

    Please take a moment to read and share MinnPost’s story on the child study, “Helping Minnesota’s homeless kids: Studying services that work” and policy implications of the study from the CASCW blog.  More research and evaluations on Hearth Connection’s supportive housing program are also available at www.hearthconnection.org/results.

    Research was made possible with financial support from the Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi Foundation for Children and the Family Housing Fund.

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    Season of Lights and Creativity: Spotlight on Youth Efforts

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on December 21, 2011

    Living in Minnesota in December and witnessing the sun go down before 5 p.m. every afternoon, it is easy to see why so many cultures emphasize the power of light this time of year.  Stars, candlelight, and twinkling decorative lights—they all remind us that the winter solstice promises the return of the sun.  During this holiday season, I’m often reminded of the people that dedicate their time and resources to helping others, and of the warmth and light that radiate from acts of charity and goodwill.

    Two creative “points of light” have caught my attention this week in the effort to end youth homelessness:

    “Whatever It Takes”

    Virgin Mobile and its giving arm Virgin Unite have launched a new national campaign to encourage citizens to engage in action to end youth homelessness. In the “Do Whatever It Takes to Put an End To Youth Homelessness” campaign, citizens pledge to do something unique to raise funds for homeless youth.  Take a couple minutes to check out the campaign and its creative responses.  One Minneapolis man pledged to cut off his eyebrows if $600 was raised.  Another young man pledged to eat a garlic bulb if people pledged $200. A couple pledged to get “Virgin Mobile” tattooed on their inner lips if donations hit $5000—and it worked!

    Hands holding candle

    Unconventional, yes.  However, I think there are many people who don’t know about the abuse and violence faced by youth living in street environments; some artistic and zany fun could help to not only raise public awareness but also some needed resources.  I hope you will help spread the word and get creative this holiday season—there are limitless ways to share your talents by making your own pledge, donating items or funds to a program serving homeless youth, or making your own statement to raise awareness about youth homelessness.

    “Making the Invisible Visible”

    The second initiative that caught my attention is driven by youth in Minnesota.  “Making the Invisible Visible” is a new blog for unstably housed youth, youth workers, and the general public in our state.  The blog hopes to bring “stories, news, and advocacy for unstably housed youth across Minnesota;” please check it out.  The youth have set a goal for December to get 2,500 readers—the estimated number of youth who are homeless on any given night according to the Wilder Research Center.

    It is incredibly important to give youth a voice to help them sort out their goals and confront their challenges, and artistic and written expression can be a powerful healing tool for youth who have often been exposed to trauma, chaotic life histories, or abuse. It’s also great to see youth-adult partnerships that can raise awareness and build community—even during the dark and cold months of winter.

    While reading the youth blog, I stumbled across a note submitted from a street outreach worker last Sunday, December 18.  The outreach worker remarked that in just one night they interacted with 22 youth at bus stops and on the streets, and they also spoke to a couple of youth at an adult shelter.  I worry about both groups. I worry for the youth who are congregating in street areas on a cold Sunday night in need of stable homes, and I worry for the youth who stay in overcrowded adult shelters.  Adult shelters should not be the preferred “response” to youth homelessness in Minnesota.  While offering a temporary refuge from cold weather and chaotic street life, adult shelter programs do not offer youth resources or positive development.

    I would hope that as Minnesotans, we find a way to offer family-centered supportive services (to prevent homelessness) and an adequate supply of supportive housing (to end homelessness) that are targeted to youth and young adult populations. I continue to see points of light even during our darkest nights of winter; I hope you do too.  Have a great holiday season!

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    Raising Awareness of Hunger and Homelessness

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on November 18, 2011

    This week was National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  As the director of a community nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness, I am constantly reminded how our country’s economic crisis is resulting in record-high spikes in poverty, unemployment, hunger and homelessness. What people don’t always notice is how often these issues overlap.gingerbread house

    Just last night, I was at a church event in a suburban community when someone shared a story that called to attention how difficulties meeting basic needs for housing, food, or income and employment are often intertwined.  A family they knew was struggling financially and was close to foreclosure on their home.  One of the parents was unemployed, and they were using most of their remaining income for house payments and to keep the lights and utilities on.  There wasn’t much left for anything else. Their children would often visit school friends and ask to take food home.  They told their classmates that they often went to bed hungry because their parents didn’t have enough income to cover the mortgage and groceries for the family.

    If I could have our readers remember just a few points about homelessness this week, it would be the following:

    • Over 3,100 individuals and families with children are experiencing long-term homelessness in Minnesota, according to Wilder Research Center’s one-day count in 2009.  If we are going to end this social crisis, we must invest in affordable housing options (construction, rehabilitation, rental assistance) and social services that help people address personal challenges in their lives.
    • This social crisis is not so large that we cannot solve it through planning, engagement, and increased financial support. 
    • Despite the barriers, we know ‘what works’ to end homelessness and are making progress in areas throughout the state.  Don’t give up hope.

    Josh’s Story

    Every person is impacted differently by their experiences with trauma, poverty, and homelessness.  One way to get perspectives is to read some of the stories shared on our website.  However, I wanted to share one specific story from a participant who regained stability after serious health problems led him to poverty and homelessness:

    Josh was doing well until he had his first heart attack in 1994. He didn’t have health insurance. Over the next decade, he suffered several more heart attacks, and the costs grew. Medical bills that were worth more than his home overwhelmed his family. It seemed like nothing could ease the enormous financial pressures, and he still struggled with his health.

    Josh filed for bankruptcy. Feeling anxious and distraught, he soon became addicted to alcohol and drugs.  Things only got worse—his addiction resulted in a divorce from his wife, and he lost new jobs after failing drug tests.  Josh became homeless and slept wherever he could.

    An outreach team referred Josh to Hearth Connection’s supportive housing program.  His support team helped him find an apartment, and he now lives in his own place.  Having support and a home again enabled him to work on the issues he sought most to address: his health, chemical dependency, employment.  He received counseling for substance abuse, and case managers helped him get needed medical care and learn about healthy living.  He found a job.

    Josh is now stable in housing—and progress continues.  He has become proactive about his health, including careful monitoring with his recent diagnosis of a neurological disorder.  He now exercises and sees a public health nutritionist.  He has a part-time job and gets help regarding eating healthy on a tight budget.  The assistance Josh receives enables him to maintain his housing, eat healthy, purchase necessary medications, and stay sober.  He’s doing well–parts of his life that had unraveled are coming together again.

     ___________________________

    Note: Hearth Connection’s participants enter the program through referral only. If someone is experiencing homelessness and needs help, please contact a social service program or shelter in your area. Residents of Minnesota can also reach a confidential community helpline by dialing 211 or 1-800-543-7709.

    Names in this story have been changed to protect the identity of participants.

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    Veteran’s Day 2011: Decreasing Homelessness Among Those Who Served

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on November 11, 2011

    I wanted to share some good news for Veteran’s Day this year:  our nation is making remarkable progress in ending homelessness among veterans. 

    We know from research that veterans are over-represented in homeless populations – many have decades of experience sleeping in outdoor encampments and emergency shelters. However, we are starting to see a precipitous decline in the number of veterans lacking homes, and that’s due to renewed government support. In the past few years, federal resources from Congress have helped to expand outreach, case management, and supportive housing to former service men and women who are homeless. 

    The nation has seen a 42 percent drop in veteran homelessness in the past three years.  Given our current economic climate, this trend is nothing but incredible!

    • In 2008, HUD estimated (based on community counts and surveys) that there were 131,000 homeless veterans.
    • By 2009, the numbers decreased to 107,000. 
    • By January of 2010, just over 76,000 homeless veterans were counted. 

    In the past few years, over 32,600 veterans have been permanently housed through HUD’s Veteran Assistance Supportive Housing program, with thousands more housed through HUD’s McKinney-Vento Supportive Housing program. 

    Better yet, we are making progress in Minnesota.  The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is a statewide non-profit organization that serves veterans in crisis and their families—including those who are experiencing homelessness.  MACV was recently awarded a new federal VA grant, Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families, which brings $1 million of federal funding to be used throughout the state of Minnesota. 

    This grant started October 1 and will allow MACV to increase their outreach efforts throughout the state by providing housing, utility assistance, social services, employment, and legal assistance to veterans and their families experiencing crisis.  In addition to the new grant, MACV recently opened Duluth Veterans’ Place, a redevelopment of two buildings that has created eleven units of permanent supportive housing and five units of transitional housing with direct services. 

    American flag in front of buildingThis work would not have been possible without bipartisan support from President Obama’s Administration and the Republican and Democratic members of Congress.  Ending veteran homelessness by 2015 is a goal of the current Administration.  When leaders identify priorities, allocate resources, and strategically use evidence-based interventions, progress is made. This should be an example to Minnesota and the United States of how local community planning and national resources can end homelessness.

    I continue to believe that homelessness in the United States is not so large that involvement by community members, good planning, and expanded investment can not end it.  If we can see this type of breakthrough for homeless veterans, what is stopping us from targeting family homelessness?

    I hope that today you will thank friends, family members, co-workers, and all who served in the Armed Forces for your safety and liberties.  I also hope you will contact your local Congressional Representatives and Senators and thank them for supporting programs that serve homeless veterans.  It’s great to see progress!

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    Our “Winter of Discontent:” Overflow Shelters Are Filling Up

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on October 28, 2011

    Three years ago we predicted this day would come.  In 2009, as the nation was reeling from the foreclosure crisis, a crashing stock market, and the deepening of a national recession, we saw that it was coming.  In 2009, the National Alliance to End Homelessness‘ National Research Council predicted that nearly 1.5 million people would become homeless due to the national recession.

    We knew there would be a delayed impact on homelessness by the recession since homelessness is a “lagging indicator.” People first lose their jobs or see a steep drop in personal income, make sacrifices in their family budget, and lose their housing as a last resort.  Following a deep recession, our nation has always seen an increase in homelessness.

    Homelessness Growing, Resources Stagnant

    Communities in the Twin Cities are now seeing a tremendous rise in homelessness. 

    Since this summer, people attempting to access emergency shelter have skyrocketed. 

    I’m usually not one to exaggerate the situation, but Heading Home Ramsey recently sent a letter to local officials with this leading sentence: “We are in the midst of a crisis.” 

    • In Ramsey County, approximately 1,700 adults and 3,000 children sought emergency shelter and were turned away between January 2010 and August 2011.  (The counts are unduplicated within a specific month, but a family may have sought shelter and been turned away across many months.)
    • This summer, Catholic Charities’ Dorothy Day Center (emergency shelter for single adults in St. Paul) ran out of space and turned away people for the first time ever.  In three months they turned away 120 people and 650 more are camped on surrounding open spaces.
    • Between January 2010 and June 2011, 1,700 youth were turned away from Lutheran Social Services’ Safe House.

    Two “overflow” shelters for single adults are opening this winter in Hennepin County, because the adult shelters are full.  Furthermore, over 70 families with children are now being gathered in an overflow hotel in Minneapolis because family shelters filled up this past September. 

    Our nonprofit partners are slammed with demands for assistance.  Unfortunately, our programs have seen either stagnant or reduced public and philanthropic funding.  Girls walking together on pathWe are unable to keep up and children are left on the streets, in cars, or doubled-up in over-crowded and substandard dwelling facilities.  We know from research that homeless children experience higher rates of trauma, psychological harm, incidences of abuse, school truancy (leading to drops in learning), and likelihood of experiencing homelessness as an adult.

    From Crisis Services to Lasting Support

    As a program devoted to ending homelessness, we believe that the solution to this crisis is investment in prevention, rapid re-housing, affordable housing, and supportive housing.  However, this moment of crisis will not wait for housing development or rehabilitation.  The challenge now is to find the balance between urgent housing needs and long-term planning.     

    Investments in affordable housing and supportive services create meaningful opportunities to prevent and end homelessness while finding safe spaces for vulnerable adults, families, and youth to get off the streets and out of outside encampments.  Our humanity calls us to respond with quick speed in creating more shelter capacity without entangling future investments at the expense of housing production, rehabilitation, and rental assistance.

    I urge you to talk with your neighbors, faith communities, city councils, county officials, and state legislators about the needs you are seeing in your community.  We must exercise our political will and moral courage to find resources to meet the immediate needs of people who are experiencing homelessness, while expanding long-term housing and services to ensure families and adults do not remain homeless and have opportunities for lasting stability. The children and youth are growing up in the midst of this crisis and cannot wait for us to dither.  

    This will be a mean winter for many Minnesotan families.  Let’s hope that communities find ways to respond accordingly, with warm hearts and sound judgment. 

    To learn more about long-term plans to end homelessness in Minnesota, please visit Heading Home Minnesota‘s website.

    A special thanks to Heading Home Hennepin and Heading Home Ramsey for data and background information used in this post.

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    Suburban Homelessness: Hidden but Drastic

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on September 30, 2011

    For most Americans, homelessness conjures up images of single, adult men on street corners in big cities. Indeed, this population of “chronically homeless” individuals remains the most visible face of homelessness. However, children and youth make up almost half of the population of people experiencing homelessness; young adults without homes are quickly gaining numbers.

    The national recession and housing foreclosure crisis are resulting in more families doubling-up and sleeping in vehicles, and it’s easy to forget that homelessness is not just an urban issue. Much of the increase in homelessness is occurring in the suburbs, where it is more challenging to address. Did you know…

    Almost one-third of homelessness occurs in suburban and rural areas.

    Between 2007 and 2009, shelters in suburban and rural areas of Minnesota saw an increase from 23% to 32% in people seeking assistance. The driver of this increase appears to be the weakening local economies. In the Twin Cities suburbs, 40% of surveyed individuals reported the loss of a job as a reason for not having housing. However, most service programs report that many people experiencing homelessness also have high levels of disabilities and health challenges.

    Youth and families with children have the fastest-growing rates of homelessness in America.

    From 2007 to 2009, the nation saw a 30% increase in families using shelters at least once. However, suburban homelessness is often hidden and understated in counts and research. This is because homelessness in the suburbs tends to take the form of people doubling up with family members, sleeping in vehicles, and couch-hopping–all types of homelessness but much less visible and thus harder to measure.

    Nearly 80% of people experiencing homelessness in the suburbs are long-term residents of Minnesota.

    Contrary to some stereotypes, the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness in the suburbs are from Minnesota or have been living in the state for a long time.

    Hearth Connection has been offering supportive housing in suburban areas since 2006. The Metropolitan Regional Project to End Long-Term Homelessness offers permanent housing and intensive services from local providers to break the cycle of homelessness. However, resources are limited, and we  could only offer services and housing to 84 people in the five suburban metro counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington) last year.

    Given the numbers highlighted in the visual above, we know that much more is needed. Emergency shelters and crisis services are not adequate to meet the long-term needs of people who have serious disabilities or barriers to housing. Homeless youth also require time to learn living skills, complete their education, or obtain vocational skils. Hearth Connection and many suburban communities are ready to step in, but we require public and private financing to expand our reach.

    The first step toward securing necessary resources is highlighting the mere existence of homelessness around us. I hope you will share this post with others in your community.

    Eric Goldfischer, intern at Hearth Connection and a junior at Macalester College, contributed to this post.

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    Wondering How YOU Can Help End Homelessness? Start Here.

    by HEARTH blog on September 16, 2011

    Before many of us had a chance to swap the shorts for sweaters, talk of an early freeze was here—and even the lingering green foliage won’t change the fact that chilly temperatures are on their way.

    As Minnesotans, we know there are unpredictable forces that we cannot control—the weather being one. Homelessness and the ability for Minnesotans to escape it, however, is certainly something we can change.

    Hearth Connection, its partners, and a multitude of government and nonprofit agencies, advocates, and consumers across the country are working until we have the resources to support a range of housing and services to prevent and end homelessness for everyone who faces it.  Amidst the hurdles, we are seeing great progress. There are more things we can do. In fact, there are things we can all do.

    When trying to grasp the issues, all the ways of falling into homelessness—coupled with the difficulties of getting back out—can appear overwhelming. What’s a person to do?

    Know that together, we CAN end homelessness.

    Whether you’re an experienced advocate or are just testing the waters, your time and voice matters. Here are a few ways you could help now:

    Volunteer.

    Several big events take place each year that use large amounts of volunteers—many of whom are participating for the first time. Homeless and unsheltered counts occur annually, as do Project Homeless Connect events, the National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, and other large events designed to engage people experiencing homelessness and raise awareness. Contacting your local shelter, Community Action Program, or the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless will help you learn about these events.

    Ready for a bigger commitment? Many nonprofits, faith- and community-based organizations rely on volunteers for help year-round and are happy to match your talents with needs in their programs. There are programs in rural, suburban, and urban areas of Minnesota; finding a local connection should be easy. There are many ways to share your skills and hobbies with others: tutoring, administrative or front desk help, preparing meals, medical and dental consulting, assisting with events and activities, childcare, hosting a homeless youth—these are just a few of the possibilities. If you’re new to volunteering, there are often volunteer group activities you can do with friends, work or church groups. Being supportive and talking with someone who may be experiencing homelessness can make a huge difference in their day.

    Give.

    If you’re running out of space in your appointment book, there are other ways to contribute. Many emergency shelters and transitional housing communities keep limited supplies for clients to use and are commonly in need of basic hygiene items, diapers, non-perishable healthy foods, clothes, and cash donations.  Call or check the websites of shelters nearest you to see what their specific needs are. If you think your school or workplace might like to participate, talk with others about having a “drive” for supplies. 

    Educate.

    For many Minnesotans, homelessness is an abstract concept that doesn’t touch their personal lives.  Despite the widespread nature of this social crisis and the tremendous increase in homelessness wrought by our national recession, most people don’t know enough about the level of need or how to help.  Communities need to hear and learn more about this problem.

    Homelessness is a complex issue, but thankfully, ways to stay informed are ample and easily accessible in news articles, reports, homeless organizations’ newsletters and online content, social media, books, and other media. Information sessions and trainings periodically show up at little cost for community members, as well as events providing insight into the experience of homelessness and what resources are available.  For example, the “A Day in the Life” program offered by St. Stephen’s Human Services and the “Homelessness 101” training by the Metro-Wide Engagement on Shelter and Housing (MESH) provide excellent information complete with historical backgrounds, community resources, and site visits.

    Talk with others about what you learned and share materials with them that moved you—articles, stories, books, links. Pass on what you’ve learned. Finally, you could help invite local housing or shelter programs to present to schools, faith communities, or civic groups in your community.

    Advocate.

    As one of the most important ways to contribute to efforts to end homelessness, advocacy elevates awareness and ensures the perspectives of vulnerable households are considered in policymaking. In 2011, the involvement of advocates and consumers at the State Capitol helped stave off drastic proposed cuts to many homeless services.

    There are countless opportunities to get involved in advocacy and efforts to end homelessness during the legislative session, including:  attending Homeless Day on the Hill, calling or writing to representatives, setting up site visits, gathering testimonies, participating in activities with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, coordinating petitions and sign-on letters, engaging community leaders and citizens in discussion, and following news and proposed legislation related to homelessness. The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) and National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) offer great toolkits to get you started.

    Volunteer Appreciation month may be over, but gratitude for our supporters’ work never ceases.  Remember your efforts can have a vast impact on those you help–and also on you. 

    Do you have any experiences volunteering or know of any opportunities related to ending homelessness in MN that you’d like to share? Please post them in a comment—we’d love to hear from you!

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    Clarification to Previous Post: HTF Impacted by Budget

    by HEARTH blog on July 27, 2011

    In our previous blog post about the new state budget, we included the Housing Trust Fund on the list of programs that was not reduced in Minnesota’s 2012-13 budget. Although advocates worked successfully to restore partial one-time funding, appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund are in fact lower than in the last biennium.

    Despite the addition of $2 million in one-time funding to base funding of $17.1 million, appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) decreased considerably in Minnesota’s new budget. Funding for the HTF went from $21.1 million in the last biennium ($4 million in one-time funding plus $17.1 million in base funding) to $19.1 million for 2012-13 (a 9.5% cut), impacting rental assistance for homeless and low-income households.

    We apologize for any confusion. Please feel free to contact us at info@hearthconnectionblog.org with any questions. And as always, thank you for reading!

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    Minnesota’s Lights Are On – But We Kicked the Can Down the Road Again

    by Richard Hooks Wayman on July 22, 2011

    The Great Minnesota Government Shutdown is over!  Governor Dayton signed all state budget bills on Wednesday, July 20.  Advocates for people experiencing homelessness should be proud of their efforts to raise awareness during this public debate.  The good and bad news from this year’s budget:

    The Good

    Almost all of the state-funded services for people experiencing homelessness were not reduced or terminated. The following is a quick list of state-supported programs that did not experience a reduction in funding:

    • Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Program;
    • Emergency Services Grant;
    • Transitional Housing Grant;
    • Runaway & Homeless Youth Act;
    • Housing Trust Fund* (supporting rental assistance); and
    • Group Residential Housing.

    Additionally, income supports that help homeless and low-income households cover basic expenses were protected.

    • General Assistance – $203/month cash grant protected, but now requires 45 days of being ill or incapacitated for eligibility rather than 30 days;
    • Families receiving Minnesota Family Investment Program (TANF) funds will not be penalized if a member of the household also receives Social Security Disability benefits;
    • Medicaid Expansion – the Governor signed into law Minnesota’s option to early adopt federal health care reform initiatives expanding health care insurance to a larger pool of very low-income persons.

    The other great news is that a Minnesota Court District Court (for the first time) ruled that in the context of a state government shutdown, homeless services were an essential and core function of government.  The Court ruled that under our Constitution, the State has a duty to ensure the continued health and safety of the public and subsequently must provide on-going services to homeless families, adults, veterans, and youth.  While the ruling will not have legal precedence, it is a landmark decision which may bolster future litigation and advocacy efforts to end homelessness in Minnesota!

    The Bad

    The Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund (offering supportive services to people with long histories of homelessness) sustained a 18% cut; funding decreased from $12.8 million in the last biennium to $10.5 million for the next biennium.  This significant reduction will result in reduced services to very vulnerable families, adults with disabilities, and youth, and fewer households being served over the next year.  It is a step back in our roadmap to end homelessness and a clear disinvestment in the Minnesota Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness.

    None of the homeless programs received an increase in funding despite the fact that the current national recession has resulted in more people experiencing homelessness.  According the Wilder Research Center’s last survey of homeless persons in 2009, two years ago we were seeing a 25% increase in homelessness.  The sluggish recovery has not abated this crisis.  So at a time when shelters, drop-in centers, service organizations, and housing programs are seeing rising demand, we have no new resources to confront the situation.

    The Ugly

    Given a budget compromise that should have been expected, this deal is not the solution many of us had hoped.  The compromise reached between the Republican majority of the Legislature and Governor Dayton does nothing to address the core, systemic budgetary issues.  It neither raises revenue nor decreases expenditures, and it does very little in the way of tax reform.  There is no great ‘redesign’ element here or significant innovations in public systems.  The compromise failed to address two competing challenges: (a) we have growth in the state budget that is not sustainable over the next decade, and (b) we have failed to identify those ‘core functions’ that should receive priority investment to create sustainable systems and quality public services.  We’ve simply bought ourselves another two years to have the same debate.  

    Finally, the State’s FY2012-2013 budget represents a step-back in efforts to implement and achieve the goals of the Minnesota Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness.  While most homeless programs were spared from significant reductions, this budget has little to celebrate for those who seek increased funding for quality programs that produce positive outcomes to end homelessness across Minnesota.  I guess it’s time for all of us to get back to work.

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    *Note: Despite the addition of $2 million in one-time funding to base funding of $17.1 million, appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) decreased from the last biennium. Funding for the HTF went from $21.1 million in the last biennium to $19.1 million for 2012-13 (a 9.5% cut), impacting rental assistance for homeless and low-income households. Please see the next post for more details or contact us with questions.

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