For the 2024 State legislative session, Align Minneapolis Will have three top priorities for which we will advocate at the capitol.

below are links to the 2024 informational one-pager and a recap from the 2023 session.

Align Minneapolis is part of the Homes for All coalition and endorses the full Homes for All agenda, found here.

Bill of Rights for People Utilizing Shelter

BILL #S HF 2636/ sf 2880

Status: legislation drafted, amendments MADE. WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Overview: This issue is a top priority for our friends at Street Voices of Change, the group of people with lived experiences of homelessness who come together to organize for meaningful change (supported by Align). The bill would provide a base standard for safe, adequate and dignified shelter across the State. Currently there are no State standards for shelters that provide space for people experiencing homelessness. Street Voices of Change worked hard to create a Shelter Resident’s Bill of Rights that is now part of Hennepin County contracts for shelter, and this bill would emulate that throughout the state. Other partners who are part of the work on this bill include MN Legal Aid and MICAH.

Bridge to Shelter Act (led by Hennepin County)

BILL #S hf 3971/sf 4018

Status: legislation DRAFTED, Heard in SENATE HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITEE and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibud bill; WAITING TO BE HEARD IN HOUSING CHILDREN & FAMILIES FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE.

Overview: This legislative initiative is endorsed by Street Voices of Change, Align, and 13 other organizations including local municipalities and service providers. The bill would create a 5-year pilot program in the Metro to invest $54M annually in coordinated response to homelessness. Using one-time COVID funding, Hennepin County invested in things that led to more people getting housed including crisis response, 24/7 shelter and housing-focused case management; this funding would allow for continued and deeper investment in solutions that work to get people out of homelessness and stably housed.

Constitutional Amendment for Housing

BILL #S HF 3329/SF 4022

Status: legislation drafted, WAITING TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEES

Overview: The proposed amendment would create a dedicated source of funding for housing through a Constitutional Amendment. As a state we have significantly underinvested in housing and we need to ensure the state is making the investments required to truly address our current housing crisis. This legislation would put a question on the ballot in 2024 to ask voters to decide to amend our State Constitution to create 3 specific funds for housing- Homeownership Fund, Rental Opportunity Fund, and Household & Community Stability Fund– by adding a sales tax (food and clothing excluded) equivalent to 38 cents on every $100.