HF 1772

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/08/2021 04:32pm

A bill for an act
relating to corrections; providing homeownership guidance for eligible supporters
of felony-convicted persons who are incarcerated; requiring a report; appropriating
money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PEACE OF HOPE HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE
INCARCERATED PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "supporter" or "supporters"
means families, significant others, and important friends with whom a felony-convicted
person has resided or has had significant contact.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of corrections shall award a grant to Peace of
Hope, Inc. to develop and implement the Peace of Hope Homeownership for Supporters of
the Incarcerated pilot project to provide homeownership guidance for up to 50 supporters
of persons who are incarcerated for a felony offense. The pilot project shall assist the
supporter for six to 18 months to become a homeowner by providing, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) education on homeownership including but not limited to basic use and operation
of homes such as plumbing, electricity, painting, heating, yard care, and garbage and
recycling; maintenance of the home and property; and small project building;
new text end

new text begin (2) life coaching for budgeting, planning, credit repair, county and city resources, and
responsibilities of homeowners;
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new text begin (3) a realtor;
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new text begin (4) a mortgage consultant;
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new text begin (5) a one-week living experience in a model home; and
new text end

new text begin (6) transportation to visit potential homes for purchase.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Peace of Hope Support for Homeownership for Supporters of the Incarcerated
pilot project shall serve supporters of persons who are at felony offender risk levels and
incarcerated in state correctional facilities or jails. The pilot project shall operate from
September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2023.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Participant eligibility. new text end

new text begin A supporter is eligible to participate in the pilot project
if the supporter:
new text end

new text begin (1) is not a homeowner;
new text end

new text begin (2) is affected by an individual who is incarcerated for a felony and scheduled to be
released within six to 12 months to the supporter's residence;
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new text begin (3) has a family size of two or more individuals;
new text end

new text begin (4) is employed or has a verifiable income;
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new text begin (5) has a credit score of 550 or higher; and
new text end

new text begin (6) has rental history for the most recent two years.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Goals of pilot project. new text end

new text begin The goals of the pilot project are to:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide strengthened sustainable homeownership opportunities for supporters who
are waiting for reunification with the individual incarcerated for a felony conviction;
new text end

new text begin (2) promote familial unity and strengthen the bonds of the familial network during the
individual's incarceration and reentry into the community;
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new text begin (3) reduce the possibility of being homeless for the individual who has the stigma of
being a convicted felon and who is reentering the community after incarceration;
new text end

new text begin (4) relieve stresses such as separation anxiety, severe depression, fear, inability to function
at the highest level in social settings, including at a minimum work and school, and many
other maladies associated with supporters who are unable to communicate with an
incarcerated individual.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Evaluation; report. new text end

new text begin By November 1, 2023, Peace of Hope, Inc. must report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate
committees with jurisdiction over corrections on the development, implementation, impact,
and outcomes of the pilot project.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $400,000 in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of corrections for a grant to Peace of Hope, Inc. for the Peace of Hope Homeownership for
Supporters of the Incarcerated pilot project under section 1. This appropriation is available
through November 1, 2023.
new text end