The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill granting $50 million in aid to people experiencing homelessness as well as individuals at risk of losing their housing.
If passed by the Senate, the $50 million in aid would go to youth and young adults ranging from 18 to 24 to help them secure housing, pay rent and utilities.
“What we have is an eviction crisis in this state,” State Rep. Micheal Howard said. “Housing is unaffordable. More than 200,000 Minnesotans are paying more than 50 percent of their income in rent. Wages have not kept up with housing prices … You’re one bad break away from being in a housing crisis.”
According to Howard, who drafted the bill, this money will aid some of the 20,000 Minnesotans that were evicted in 2022. However, he noted that the state has never fully funded the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program. The House bill only allots half of the $100 million requested to fund the program.
Some Republicans took issue with the bill, saying that the lack of education or work requirements makes it a “handout, not a hand up,” according to State Rep. Brian Johnson.
The bill now moves on to the Senate. In addition, the Governor’s budget allots another $120 million in aid for people in need of housing and housing assistance.