SF 3614

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/20/2018 09:25am

A bill for an act
relating to the military; establishing the Living Initiatives for Equity program for
veterans and current and former military members and their families; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 197.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [197.792] LIVING INITIATIVES FOR EQUITY PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Living space" means an owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied real property that
consists of a qualified habitable dwelling, and may include its land, building, and
improvements.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Personal support relationships" includes known or legally recognized family
relationships, extended family relationships, close friends, and other types of personal
relationships.
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new text begin (d) "Provider of services" means an entity that provides services related to specified
program services in the LIFE program. Provider of services includes a post or chapter of a
Congressionally chartered nonprofit or national or state nonprofit serving or providing
services to veterans or current and former military service members and their personal
support relationships.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin The Living Initiatives for Equity (LIFE) program is
established to equitably support affordable living space ownership and to equitably increase
living space opportunities for veterans or current or former military service members and
their personal support relationships. The program may also support the redevelopment and
rebuilding of challenged neighborhoods affected by the foreclosure crisis if such actions
may equitably create living space opportunities for veterans or current or former military
service members and their personal support relationships. The commissioner of veterans
affairs and other government agencies with living space and related funds shall work with
the state council under section 256.041 and the national interfaith council working on equity,
diversity, and inclusion, and collaborate with the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program to
design and implement the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Funding. new text end

new text begin If LIFE program funds are available to the commissioner of veterans
affairs and other agencies with related funds, the commissioner shall use the funds to
equitably support and develop the capacity of diverse providers of LIFE services to veterans
or current or former military service members and their personal support relationships to
administer the LIFE program under this section; to support providers that assist veterans or
current or former military service members and their personal support relationships to attain
sustainable, affordable residential ownership described in subdivision 4, paragraph (c); and
to make first mortgage loans as described in subdivision 4, paragraph (d). Capacity
development shall include technical assistance; education and training including qualifying
for free government-funded education and trainings; getting applicable federal and state
approvals, certifications, and licensing; building capacity to secure other government funds
and resources; and developing full-service living space programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible programs and uses. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, the state council under
section 256.041, and the national interfaith council working on equity, diversity, and
inclusion, shall determine which programs are eligible for LIFE program funds, determine
which organizations shall equitably receive funding, provide all funding and grant
recommendations to the government agencies that enter into related grant agreements, and
administer the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Assistance to attain sustainable, affordable living space ownership may include
long-term financial education, training, case management, credit mending, buyer education,
foreclosure prevention mitigation services, repairs and maintenance, sustainable ownership,
finances, property liens and taxes, rentals, prevention of displacements and loss of living
space, shelter, agricultural, farmstead, or other living space program assistance.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner, the state council under section 256.041, and the national interfaith
council working on equity, diversity, and inclusion, shall equitably choose providers
described in this paragraph that have track records of assisting veterans or current or former
military service members and their personal support relationships who face disparities with
education services or services that resulted in sustainable, affordable living space
opportunities for these populations.
new text end

new text begin (d) Funds may be used to make first mortgage financing to living space buyers who have
the financial resources to pay a mortgage but are unable to access a mortgage that meets
their needs. The mortgage loans must be originated by qualified providers. A qualified
provider must be a provider that has a track record of assisting veterans or current or former
military service members and their personal support relationships who face disparities in
attaining sustainable, affordable living space ownership. Qualified providers may be paid
an origination fee, service release premium, and a standard fee set in order to expand capacity
to assist more families with purchasing a living space.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end