1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to housing; appropriating money to Community Mediation Minnesota for 
1.3 	a statewide housing mediation program.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	$2,200,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,200,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from 
1.7 	the general fund to the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for a grant 
1.8 	to Community Mediation Minnesota to administer a statewide housing mediation program 
1.9 	to support renters and residential rental property owners. The program must:
1.10 	(1) provide housing dispute resolution services to renters and rental property owners 
1.11 	and homeowners;
1.12 	(2) increase awareness of and access to housing dispute resolution services statewide;
1.13 	(3) provide dispute resolution services, including but not limited to eviction prevention, 
1.14 	mediation, and navigation services;
1.15 	(4) partner with culturally specific dispute resolution programs to provide training and 
1.16 	assistance with virtual and in-person mediation and resolution services;
1.17 	(5) increase mediation services for seniors and renters with disabilities and illnesses who 
1.18 	face housing instability;
1.19 	(6) increase the diversity and cultural competency of the housing mediator roster;
1.20 	(7) integrate housing mediation services with navigation and resource connection services, 
1.21 	legal assistance, and court services programs;
2.1 	(8) continue to develop and administer evaluation tools to design, modify, and replicate 
2.2 	effective program outcomes; and
2.3 	(9) provide for necessary administrative expenses.