Homes for All Blog

Homes for All, a statewide coalition that advances shared policy initiatives that lead to housing stability for all Minnesotans, is seeking a consultant(s) to assist in coalition building and governance for the coalition to achieve maximum impact. H4A is building on its success, and desires to grow its influence and power to leverage more state legislative investments and policy improvements in affordable housing and ending homelessness. H4A desires to strengthen its current coalition structure and governance, as well as increase participation of new housing stakeholders, and provide an “on-ramp” for all new stakeholders to participate, in order to position it for future growth and increased power, influence and success.

Housing and homelessness have risen to the front pages of news and media and to the top of policy agendas for elected officials at local, state and national levels, including becoming a top issue of the 2020 Presidential campaign. The unprecedented attention on this issue provides both an opportunity and a responsibility to focus energy on building and strengthening our coalition to channel this attention in strategic ways and leverage legislative success for long-term impact.

Download the request for proposals and submission instructions. Proposals will be accepted through Friday, July 19th at 10am.

The 2019 legislative session is over and Homes for All is celebrating some amazing wins! Because of your hard work this session, housing was a top tier priority and received a 10 percent increase in funding–more than any other state agency! Here are the rest of the final session outcomes:

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) Request

• Challenge Program – A flexible tool used for the development and preservation of multi- and single-family housing statewide. Outcome: $5 million increase (one-time)

• Homework Starts with Home – Supports collaborative efforts between schools, housing organizations and local governments to identify, engage and stabilize students experiencing homelessness and their families. Outcome: $3.5 million base funding

• Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) – Rental assistance funding to serve adults, youth and children at risk of experiencing homelessness. Outcome: $3.5 million increase

• Bridges – Funds necessary rental assistance for adults with serious mental illness. Outcome: $500,000 increase

• Workforce Homeownership Minnesota (WHOM) – Provides funding support for statewide affordable home ownership development and rehabilitation. Outcome: $500,000 increase

• Manufactured Home Grants. Outcome: $2 million increase

Department of Human Services (DHS) Request

• Emergency Services Program (ESP) – Funds emergency shelters and homeless support programs (low barriers, etc.). Outcome: $3 million increase (one-time)

Bonding Request

• Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIB) – Preservation of federally subsidized rental housing, construction of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and for Community Land Trust land acquisitions for single-family home ownership. Outcome: $60 million

That brings us to a total of $78 million in new money this session!! Not only that, the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) received an increase of $100 a month–the first increase to MFIP monthly benefits since 1986!

We could not have secured these investments in Minnesota’s future without your advocacy. Thank you for spreading the word, reaching out to your legislators, rallying, and joining your voice in the call for safe, affordable housing for all Minnesotans!

While these are great wins, we were not able to get everything we asked for, such as funding increases to supportive housing for adults with serious mental illness and increased protections for tenants. For a detailed look at the work that remains, follow this link. There is much more we need to do, but we will keep up the fight until every Minnesotan has a place to call home.

Hi, advocates!

Because of your hard work this Legislative Session, housing was a top tier priority and received a 10 percent increase in funding — more than any other state agency!

THANK YOU!

We are very thankful for your partnership with this, AND you may have woken up to the news this morning that our advocacy is not done. With significant work left to do, the legislature will soon call a special session to wrap up key items, including a bonding bill and flexible funding for shelter through the Emergency Services Program (ESP).

Now is the time. Housing advocates across the state need to lift our voices and urge our lawmakers to finish what they started; key investments in housing infrastructure and flexible funds to provide safe, dignified shelter for the growing homeless population. 

Please send an email in support of a bonding bill and investments to ESP!

• Click here to email your lawmakers to ensure a bonding bill is passed, and that they push investments to Emergency Services Program (ESP). 

With less than 24 hours of the legislative session, we need your voice now more than ever. The number of people experiencing homelessness across the state is growing, and more people are staying outside of a formal shelter; the need for flexible funding sources like the Emergency Services Program (ESP) is crucial. We also need to ensure that a bonding bill is passed. Please take a few moments to encourage your legislators to invest in housing and shelters across the state. The time to act is NOW! 

What: Please reach out to your lawmakers with **TWO** phone calls  or emails encouraging them to invest in the critical ESP program and to ensure that a bonding bill is passed!

When: ALL DAY TODAY! (5/20/2019)

Contact: Your lawmakers! Click here to find who represents you.

Sample scripts: Use the below scripts to guide your calls, and feel free to elaborate on why these actions are so important to you.

Sample script for calls to invest in the Emergency Services Program:

Hi my name is [your name] and I live in [your county or city]. I am calling as a member of Homes for All.

Emergency shelters are the starting point to long-term stability, and investing in the Emergency Services Program is the most important first step. ESP is a very flexible fund that can support emergency shelters, street outreach, drop-in or day shelters, and motel vouchers across the state. According to the new Wilder Study, unsheltered homelessness went up 62%, we need ESP now more than ever. Please invest in the Emergency Services Program in your final negotiations. 

Thank you!

 Sample script for calls to pass a bonding bill:

Hi my name is [your name] and I live in [your county or city]. I am calling as a member of Homes for All.

Thank you!

Emails: You can also take part in this action by sending emails. Click here to email your lawmakers about investments to Emergency Services Program (ESP). Click here to email your lawmakers to ensure a bonding bill is passed.

Please let Matt know when you’ve made your calls/sent your emails: matt@mnhomelesscoalition.org 
 

The #H4Arally is almost here! Are you ready? Here are three easy things you can do to prepare!

1) Join our Twitterstorm this Thursday, May 2 from 12-1pm!

Please help us invite others to the rally by joining a Twitterstorm this Thursday from 12-1pm. In addition to ensuring we pack the Capitol Rotunda, it’s an important opportunity to bring attention to the need for investments in homes and Tweet directly to lawmakers. Learn how you can participate! Previous Homes for All Twitterstorms have garnered thousands of impressions and boosted #Homes4AllMN to a trending hashtag in the region! If you’d like to co-host the Twitterstorm, please contact Laura.

2) Make a sign that says you support Homes for All.

Why do we rally? To attract attention to an important issue! What’s one way to attract attention? Signs! Here are some phrases you could write on a sign:

• Where we live impacts everything.
• I support Homes for ALL!
• Everyone needs a place to call home.
• Homelessness has no home in Minnesota.
• Invest in housing!
• With #Homes4AllMN, children learn, workers earn, seniors thrive and communities prosper!

3) Invite your friends.

Another way to attract attention? A big crowd. Turnout puts pressure on lawmakers to listen up and take action. Here are some resources to invite your friends:

• Click here for the information on the website
• Here is a PDF Flyer
• You can find the Facebook event at this link
• You can find an Eventbrite to RSVP at this link