Purpose

This bill provides funding from the state’s general fund to support capital improvements at a Lutheran Social Service site in St. Paul. The goal is to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve youth and families, including housing support, early childhood services, and related employment and health services.

Main provisions

• Appropriation of 2,500,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development.
• A grant to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota to design, construct, renovate, and equip capital improvements to an existing service site located at 709 University Avenue West in St. Paul.
• Specific improvements funded by this grant include:
  • Accessibility and modernization capital improvements
  • Preservation and expansion of site-based transitional housing units for youth and parenting youth experiencing housing instability
  • Expansion of a therapeutic preschool
  • Improvements to office space for employment services, financial counseling, housing services, and behavioral health services

Funding details and conditions

• This is a one-time appropriation.
• The funds are available until the project is completed or abandoned.
• The appropriation is subject to Minnesota statutes governing state spending (Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642).

Relationship to existing law and notable changes

• Creates a new one-time capital investment funding action specifically for Lutheran Social Service’s St. Paul site.
• Does not establish ongoing funding or broad changes to existing programs; it authorizes a single capital project through a grant administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Beneficiary and location

• Beneficiary: Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
• Location: 709 University Avenue West, St. Paul

Additional context

• The bill focuses on capital improvements (construction, renovation, modernization) rather than ongoing operating funding.
• The scope includes housing, early childhood education, and health/service spaces, signaling an integrated approach to housing, youth support, and related services.

Relevant Terms - 2,500,000 - general fund - commissioner of employment and economic development - grant - Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota - design, construct, renovate, and equip - capital improvements - 709 University Avenue West - St. Paul - accessibility - modernization - preservation and expansion - site-based transitional housing units - youth - parenting youth - housing instability - therapeutic preschool - employment services - financial counseling - housing services - behavioral health services - one-time appropriation - available until project is completed or abandoned - Minnesota Statutes section 16A.642