SF 160

as introduced - 91st Legislature, 2020 1st Special Session (2019 - 2020) Posted on 06/20/2020 10:07am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; directing the commissioner of human services to
convene a task force to develop an immediate solution to relocate and reduce the
homeless encampment in Powderhorn Park, and to develop medium-term and
long-term solutions to homelessness; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES;
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS PLAN.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall consult with county agencies, city
government officials, other state commissioners, nonprofit and private entities that provide
housing and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, members of the public, and
other stakeholders with experience serving individuals experiencing homelessness or
addressing homelessness crises to develop and implement, by July 3, 2020, a plan to reduce
the size of the homeless encampment at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis by obtaining
housing for individuals currently living in the encampment at shelters or other housing that
meets their health and safety needs, including their need for care to mitigate the effects of
COVID-19 or for resources to ensure their compliance with public health COVID-19
guidance.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of human services shall consult with county agencies, city
government officials, other state commissioners, nonprofit and private entities that provide
housing and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, members of the public, and
other stakeholders with experience serving individuals experiencing homelessness or
addressing homelessness crises to develop medium-term and long-term solutions and policy
recommendations by December 30, 2020, including legislative proposals for the 2021
legislative session that would:
new text end

new text begin (1) reduce the proliferation of homeless encampments in Minneapolis and St. Paul,
including but not limited to providing increased financial support for homeless shelters and
services, rental assistance, affordable housing, and housing development for individuals
earning less than 30 percent of the area median income;
new text end

new text begin (2) meet homeless individuals' ongoing needs for care to mitigate the effects of COVID-19
or for resources to ensure that the plan complies with public health COVID-19 guidance;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) provide specific policy recommendations to local authorities and agencies, following
consultation with the commissioner of public safety and other relevant stakeholders, that
would reduce and prevent homelessness and reduce criminalization of homeless individuals.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; POWDERHORN PARK HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT
PLAN AND ONGOING HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the coronavirus relief fund to the
commissioner of human services to implement the plan to reduce the homeless encampment
in Powderhorn Park under section 1, paragraph (a). This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the coronavirus relief fund to the
commissioner of human services for the ongoing homelessness solutions developed under
section 1, paragraph (b). This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end