On any given night, nearly 9,200 Minnesotans – including 2,700 children – are without housing. Some are “lucky” enough to spend the night in a shelter. Others sleep in their cars or literally on the streets. Even more are forced to live in unsafe, cramped conditions with friends or family members.
Supportive housing is one type of housing solution that provides onsite services to people that will improve or maintain their health, independent living skills, income, employment, socialization skills, quality of life and, most importantly, their housing.
People who qualify for this type of housing may include the homeless, people with mental illness, the elderly, those with substance abuse problems and those being released from incarceration. Housing that includes supportive services is one of the most successful and proven tools available in combating long-term homelessness.
In 2004, the legislature created a working group to explore ways of ending chronic homelessness in the state. Minnesota’s Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness by 2010 is well on its way to creating 4,000 units of supportive housing. But in order to stay on track, the legislature must continue to appropriate money for the construction of these housing units.
The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has decided on an innovative plan that allows them to sell $30 million in 501(c)3 bonds that will fund the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 245 units of permanent supportive housing for families with children and people who experience long-term homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.
