Another Step Forward in the State and County Pay-for-Success Initiative

Since our inception in 2007, a significant portion of Better Futures' plan for financial sustainability has been to negotiate pay-for-success contracts with state and local governments. Pay-for-success contracting bases payments on results achieved rather than activities performed. This approach offers governmental entities that purchase services the ability to identify and pay for the services that are most effective in achieving the desired results.

For the past two years a portion of Better Futures' contract with Hennepin County's Human Services and Public Health Department has been based on outcomes. We are now pleased to announce another step forward in moving toward pay-for-success contracting.

Why Better Futures Minnesota?

We believe everyone deserves a fair shot at the American dream. This dream includes a decent job, a safe place to live, a chance to have meaningful relationships and connections, a chance to be a good parent and raise children, and a chance to be a contributing member of society.

We believe in personal redemption and second chances. The men we embrace and serve did some bad things but they are not bad people. Like all of us, they need to take responsibility for their past and they should have a chance to pursue a better future.

We also believe current systems and practices are unfair and produce unacceptable outcomes. We believe tour participants, taxpayers and our society deserve much better results.

And we believe work matters; a job has practical and intrinsic value. We think about and look at the challenges experienced by the men in a dramatically different way. A different perspective inspires creative, new approaches which lead to much better outcomes for the men, their families, and our society.

> Learn more about our model of success

Helping Build a Strong Community

Last year, Better Futures leased an apartment building in North Minneapolis that serves as our guest house. "We were looking for new space for participants entering our enterprise" said Barb Jeanetta, Better Futures Director of Membership Services. Better Futures' model is based on the belief that for our participants to walk a better path and stay on the path, they need safe, affordable housing, a job, access to health care, and life coaching supported by meaningful relationships and a vibrant community.

In the year before Before Better Futures rented this building, the property had 47 police calls, according the Minneapolis Police Department. The calls were for domestic abuse, drug dealing, fights, etc. Since Better Futures moved in, the number of police calls reduced by 80%, "We have received positive feedback from the community", says Jeanetta. "Neighbors have said that they appreciate our proactive management of the property and that we help bring a better reputation to rental properties."

Most of the men who move into the guest house don't have a place to live. They've burned bridges with family members and many landlords will not rent to people with felonies or bed rental history. "Living in the guest house is also the beginning of building community, roommates learn to share cleaning responsibilities, share dinner together, and learn to live around each other, says Darryl Lindsey, Better Futures Chief Operating Officer."

Typically men stay four to six months - until they gain full-time employment and an apartment opens up at one of our partner housing properties. We've also had two participants purchase their own homes! The goal of the guest house is to serve as a stepping stone towards moving to their own apartment and independent living.