HF4549

Purpose

This bill changes Minnesota laws to expand and modify how housing support services are delivered for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, especially those with serious mental illness or substance use disorders. It focuses on the Department of Human Services’ housing programs and aims to broaden what grant funds can cover and who can receive services.

Main Provisions

• Allowable grant activities for housing programs:
  • Homeless outreach and case management services.
  • Clinical assessment.
  • Habilitation and rehabilitation services.
  • Community mental health services.
  • Substance use disorder treatment.
  • Housing transition and sustaining services.
  • Direct assistance funding.
• Target population for services:
  • Individuals with a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or a co-occurring substance use disorder who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
• Eligibility policy:
  • Individuals receiving homeless outreach services may be presumed eligible until a serious mental illness can be verified (presumptive eligibility).
• Statutory changes:
  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 245.991, 245.992, 256D.05, 256D.06, 256D.54, 256I.04, and 256K.46 to implement the new policies.
  • Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 256D.09 subdivisions 2a and 2b, and 256K.45 subdivision 2 (removing certain existing provisions related to housing programs).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Broadens the range of allowable services funded by housing program grants, moving beyond limited or specific services to include a wider set of supports designed to help people achieve housing stability.
• Introduces presumptive eligibility for homeless outreach clients, potentially speeding access to services for people without immediate verification of mental health status.
• Removes or replaces certain older provisions by repealing specific subdivisions in the cited statute sections, aligning them with the new broader approach to housing support services.

Implementation Considerations

• The bill shifts how housing program funds can be used, which may affect program design, budgeting, and reporting for the Department of Human Services and grantees.
• Expanded service offerings could improve housing stability and health outcomes for people with mental health and/or substance use disorders who are homeless or at risk, but may require additional coordination and oversight.

Relevant Terms - homeless outreach - case management - clinical assessment - habilitation - rehabilitation services - community mental health services - substance use disorder treatment - housing transition and sustaining services - direct assistance funding - serious mental illness - substance use disorder - cooccurring substance use disorder - homelessness - imminent risk of homelessness - presumptive eligibility - Department of Human Services - housing support services policy - Minnesota Statutes - grant activities