1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to housing; appropriating money for legal assistance to tenants.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. STABLE HOUSING LEGAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS; 
1.5 	APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	$300,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.7 	of the Housing Finance Agency to provide grants to organizations to fund legal assistance 
1.8 	for tenants in cases where an unlawful detainer has been filed or where the tenant has an 
1.9 	immediate threat of an unlawful detainer being filed against them. The grants shall be 
1.10 	distributed to organizations that have expertise and experience in assisting tenants in housing 
1.11 	matters or organizations that serve diverse communities and can partner with qualified legal 
1.12 	professionals to provide legal assistance to tenants in housing matters. Grants shall be 
1.13 	distributed to provide services to tenants throughout the state and shall be prioritized for 
1.14 	tenants with an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The 
1.15 	commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency must report to the legislative committees 
1.16 	with jurisdiction over housing and judiciary on the program objectives and outcomes for 
1.17 	clients served and the program's impact on housing stability.