HF 3287

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/04/2022 04:54pm

A bill for an act
relating to housing; requiring the establishment of a stable housing mediation grant
program; appropriating money for the stable housing mediation grant program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA STABLE HOUSING MEDIATION GRANT PROGRAM.
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new text begin The commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency shall establish a housing mediation
grant program to increase access to voluntary housing mediation services for renters and
homeowners. The grant program shall provide funding to mediation facilities certified by
the state under section 494.015 that can increase access to housing mediation throughout
the state, increase the availability of culturally specific dispute resolution programs, reduce
the need for court actions, and bring stability in housing. The grant funding must be used
to:
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new text begin (1) provide mediation services to benefit renters, property owners, households, utility
providers, and homeowners statewide and increase awareness of access to mediation services
and expand statewide mediation services;
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new text begin (2) provide eviction prevention services including access to mediation services that
prevent eviction court costs and reduce negative consequences to families, schools,
employers, neighborhoods, and communities;
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new text begin (3) partner with culturally specific dispute resolution programs to provide training and
assist in providing mediation services virtually and in-person;
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new text begin (4) increase mediation services for seniors and tenants with disabilities and illnesses
who face housing instability;
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new text begin (5) increase the diversity of the housing mediator roster;
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new text begin (6) integrate existing and future housing mediation services with legal assistance and
court services programs; and
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new text begin (7) develop and administer evaluation tools in order to design, modify, and replicate
effective program outcomes.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $425,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of the Housing Finance Agency for the Minnesota stable housing mediation grant program.
This appropriation is onetime and available until June 30, 2024.
new text end