Continuum of Care

It’s difficult to overstate how bad this is.

For those experiencing homelessness it will shut off countless avenues to get housing. For buildings like Minnehaha Commons and Kyle Garden Square we will need to scramble to execute Plan B. For some housing organizations it may close their doors permanently.  

For decades HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) money has gone to support permanent, supportive housing opportunities for the chronically homeless. This has been true regardless of who has been in the White House and has been the case because the evidence shows it works. On November 13, HUD released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that drastically, and for purely ideological reasons, changes how HUD CoC money will be awarded going forward. Some of these changes are:  

1. Funding for permanent housing projects like Minnehaha Commons and Kyle Garden Square is now capped at 30% of the total funding amount. HUD is instead directing the bulk of funding to transitional housing with strict sobriety and mental health treatment requirements. Things we know do not work. 
2. HUD can reject any project that engages in “racial preferences,” uses a definition of sex “other than binary,” or engages in harm reduction that meets those experiencing homelessness where they’re at rather than treating them punitively before providing services. 
3. HUD elevates “public safety” as a major scoring factor. So, living in a state that (rightly!) does not criminalize homelessness Minnesota organizations will score poorly. 

These changes put all CoC funding in Minnesota, not just for Alliance, at serious risk. Currently, Minnesota organizations receive approximately $48 million in HUD CoC money that houses 3,600 Minnesotans (103 via Alliance). Each of these neighbors would be at risk of being pushed back into homelessness if this NOFO goes forward. We are hopeful we can replace at least some of this amount via state funding sources, but $48 million is a lot of money for the state government to absorb. 

Even if Alliance is able to replace these funds, though, the aftershocks throughout the housing system will be massive. Programs and perhaps organizations will close, putting more stress on organizations that remain. Other funding sources, whether local government, foundations, or individuals, will be stressed to their limits causing other needs of all types to not be met. Worst of all, more Minnesotans will be shoved into homelessness. More families won’t be able to stay together. More kids won’t be able to perform in school. More people will turn to drugs and alcohol to survive the day. More lives will be destroyed. 

Your neighbors need your help. Please continue, or start, to reach out to your elected officials (the National Alliance to End Homelessness has a recommended script). Many in Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation are already fighting on our behalf (Alliance Executive Director Jessie Hendel was quoted in a press release from Senator Tina Smith this week), but they still need to hear from us.  

Additionally, a number of organizations are coming together for a vigil next week at the Basilica of St. Mary. The Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil will run from 7:00 pm Tuesday until 7:00 am Wednesday. You can learn more and register for an hour long shift (either in person or virtually) here. Many Alliance staff plan to attend at 7:00 pm when we anticipate the most press coverage, we’d love to see you there!