as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/03/2023 03:58pm
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 02/02/2023 |
A bill for an act
relating to housing; establishing a stable housing mediation grant program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
462A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The agency shall establish a housing mediation
program to reduce negative consequences to renters, rental property owners, families,
schools, employers, neighborhoods, and communities by providing support to renters and
residential rental property owners.
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The agency shall award grants to community dispute
resolution programs certified under section 494.015. The agency shall develop forms and
procedures for soliciting and reviewing applications for grants under this section.
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The agency shall award a grant to Community Mediation
Minnesota to administrate the housing mediation program to ensure effective statewide
management, program design, and outreach among the grantees.
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The grant funding must be used to:
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(1) provide housing dispute resolution services;
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(2) increase awareness of and access to housing dispute resolution services statewide;
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(3) provide alternative dispute resolution services, including but not limited to eviction
prevention, mediation, and navigation services;
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(4) partner with culturally specific dispute resolution programs to provide training and
assistance with virtual and in-person mediation services;
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(5) increase mediation services for seniors and renters with disabilities and illnesses that
face housing instability;
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(6) increase the diversity and cultural competency of the housing mediator roster;
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(7) integrate housing mediation services with navigation and resource connection services,
legal assistance, and court services programs; and
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(8) develop and administer evaluation tools to design, modify, and replicate effective
program outcomes.
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$2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency to fund housing
mediation grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2098. Of this amount, $....... is
available to the department for the administrative costs in Minnesota Statutes, section
462A.2098, subdivision 3.
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