Dear ,

Greetings! Here are a few updates on policy and politics related to ending homelessness in Minnesota: 

Governor Dayton Proposes FY2012-13 Budget

Governor Dayton released his proposed budget for the next biennium on February 15^th. His proposal calls for spending reductions and new taxes to balance the $6.2 billion deficit, and it will be the subject of close scrutiny by the public and the Legislature. While the Governor's budget avoids extreme budget cuts with new revenue sources and delayed payments, people experiencing homelessness would be affected by cuts to housing, service, and crisis programs.

The following is a quick reference on where the Governor's Budget would reduce homeless services and assistance to very low-income persons for the next biennium:

• Long-Term Homeless Supportive Services Fund (LTHSSF):  reduced by $3 million                      (provides services for people experiencing long-term homelessness)
• Emergency General Assistance (EGA) and Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Aid (EMSA): programs combined and reduced by $4.5 million    (provides assistance for emergency needs to keep housing, ie rent, utilities, deposits, etc.)
• Housing Trust Fund (HTF): reduced by $2 million  (provides rental assistance to people experiencing homelessness)
• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Consolidated Fund: reduced by 13%                   (funds county services related to MFIP, ie job counselors and emergency grants to help families avoid homelessness or move into new housing after being homeless)

Fortunately, the Governor's budget keeps funding levels intact for the following homeless services:

•  Group Residential Housing
•  Transitional Housing Program
•  Runaway & Homeless Youth Act programs
•  General Assistance
•  Emergency shelter

Virtual Tool Simulates Homeless Situations 

A new online game makes it possible to get a brief virtual experience of homelessness. Created by the Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) and ad agency McKinney, "SPENT" simulates financial and personal dilemmas that people facing homelessness may experience. The game challenges players to make it through a month with limited savings and a host of real-life choices (ie whether to take employer health care, where to store belongings, how to help friends/family, even parenting).   

SPENT is a fast and easy educational tool that offers information along with the experience; facts about poverty and homelessness pop up throughout the game. The game is currently free and available to try at http://playspent.org.

__________________________     

Pending State Bills

Throughout the Legislative session we wish to highlight bills that may help frame public debate on policy matters or that directly impact services and housing for people experiencing 

long-term homelessness. Here is a quick list of bills that grabbed our attention:  

SF 326: A bill introduced in 2010 to expand funding for homeless youth shelters has been re-introduced in 2011.On Feb. 14^th, legislation resurfaced that would create an "income tax checkoff program," allowing individual and corporate taxpayers to donate to homeless prevention on their tax returns. Proceeds would go to DHS for emergency service grants and youth homeless shelters and services.  While the chief author is Senator Ellen Anderson, GOP Senators Dave Senjem and Julianne Ortman, the Taxes Committee Chair, have signed on as co-authors.

HF 130 (and SF 60): The "budget cut bill" was passed in both the House and the Senate last week. This bill includes the elimination of Emergency General Assistance ($7.9m/yr) and Emergency MN Supplemental Aid ($1.1m/yr), with deep reductions to the Children & Community Services Grants ($19.3m/yr), and many other critical programs and services (local government aid, higher education, etc). The bill was presented to Governor Dayton on Feb. 10^th. The Governor vetoed it the same day, writing in response to legislators that "...you do not know, or decline to say, what (specific) spending reductions you want to make."