ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Wednesday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard legislation from Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) to support adults, families and youth experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (SF 388). The Pathway Home Act legislation would expedite funding across the state for emergency shelter facilities and meeting the needs of homeless people.
“This bill responds to the emergency of homelessness and will get people indoors,” said Senator Dibble. “Homelessness is a human tragedy and the culmination of the failure of so many things. Homelessness does not exist in isolation. It’s the failure of all of the things we rely on as individuals and as a community to ensure stability, safety, and security. When all of these failures culminate many find themselves without a roof over their head. The Pathways Home Act is just the first step to putting an end to homelessness in our state.”
The legislation would allocate $150 million from the General Fund in the 2024 fiscal year to increase beds, and to improve safety in and access to emergency shelter facilities across Minnesota. In addition, another $75 million is directed to serve health and other needs as people strive to move towards greater security and housing stability. Many of the grants are focused on addressing people under the age of 25 who are disconnected from their families. Other grants provide long-term investments in homelessness prevention.
The bill was laid over for further consideration and discussion.
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