1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to capital investment; appropriating money for a connection center 
1.3 	facility.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
 1.6 	The legislature finds and declares that the goal of housing stability for all Minnesotans 
1.7 	is consistent with the state's responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its 
1.8 	citizens. Homelessness is the most serious form of housing instability. While the numbers 
1.9 	of Minnesotans experiencing homelessness persists at unprecedented levels since before 
1.10 	the great recession, and proven strategies are being effectively used to solve homelessness 
1.11 	consistent with the 2013 state plan to prevent and end homelessness, the state has and 
1.12 	should continue to invest in these strategies. The legislature finds and declares that a unique 
1.13 	opportunity now exists to build upon past investments and advance proven and innovative 
1.14 	strategies to prevent and end homelessness by funding construction of a connection and 
1.15 	opportunity center as part of a broad and comprehensive public private partnership.

1.16 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; CONNECTION CENTER.
 1.17 	$....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services 
1.18 	for a grant to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis for the purpose of funding a 
1.19 	homeless prevention and solution facility. This appropriation may be used to cover up 
1.20 	to one-half of the project cost. The remaining cost must be paid from nonstate sources. 
1.21 	The grant may be used to predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip a connection 
1.22 	center to serve as an integrated one-stop delivery system connecting persons at risk of 
1.23 	becoming homeless, and persons working to move up and out of homelessness, to services 
2.1 	that improve their health, income, housing stability, and well-being. This appropriation 
2.2 	may be used to acquire property for these purposes. This appropriation is available until 
2.3 	the project is completed or abandoned subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642.