St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota House approved the Housing Finance and Policy budget. The bill funds a variety of programs aimed at helping create more affordable housing, and provisions to ensure Minnesotans are safely and stably housed. State Representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud) voted in favor of the legislation.
“The bipartisan agreement we reached on this off-ramp to the eviction moratorium ensures protections and peace of mind to both renters and landlords,” said Rep. Wolgamott. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved, and I am eager to pass it into law.”
Championed by DFLers, the eviction moratorium off-ramp provides renters and landlords with the time to take advantage of federal housing assistance funds, with the off-ramp concluding 105 days after enactment. Landlords will be required to send a notice to renters with outstanding rent 15 days prior to eviction. In addition, renters with an outstanding rental assistance claim cannot be evicted and will have that protection until June 1, 2022.
The 105-day off-ramp provides time for Minnesotans who owe back rent to secure rental assistance through 211 or renthelpmn.org, which will go directly to landlords.
Other provisions of the bill:
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Authorizes $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds, contingent on there being no funding in an upcoming federal infrastructure bill for the same purposes.
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Provides Minnesota Housing with $10 million in one-time funds for FY22-23, along with $12 million in the tails to cover the debt service for $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs)
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Funds the Manufactured Home Park Infrastructure Grant Program to address the needs of manufactured home parks whose infrastructure has reached the end of its expected lifespan by providing funds for improvements in eligible permanent year-round parks.
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Establishes a 24-member shelter provider task force consisting of members from state agencies and advocates to make recommendations to the legislature regarding how to strengthen the shelter system to provide safe and appropriate services.
Video of the House Floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.