HF4117

Purpose

Explain and fund the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPP) in Minnesota. The bill amends a 2025 law so the program has adjusted funding levels and more flexible rules to reduce the risk of homelessness and improve how the program works.

Main Provisions

• Adjusted appropriations for the FHPP: The bill changes how much money is available for FHPP under the related section of law, detailing specific appropriation amounts for the program.
• Use of funds to reduce homelessness risk: The appropriation may be used for costs needed to decrease the risk of homelessness and to improve the effectiveness of FHPP, as determined by the agency administering the program.
• Grantee collaborations in geographic areas: When a new grantee begins work in an area with current or former grantees, the new grantee may partner with either an advisory committee (as required by statute) or the local continuum of care, and is not required to follow a specific subdivision of the statute in that situation.
• Procurement flexibility: The agency may award grants to existing program grantees even if procurement rules would normally apply.
• Long‑term funding baseline: The base funding level for FHPP in fiscal year 2028 and beyond is set at 10,719,000.

Changes to Existing Law (Significant Changes)

• Expanded use of funds: Adds explicit permission to use FHPP funds for activities aimed at lowering homelessness risk and increasing program effectiveness.
• Flexible grantee partnerships: Loosens certain statutory partnership requirements for new grantees to work with advisory bodies or local planning structures, facilitating coordination in geographic areas with existing providers.
• Procurement carve‑out: Provides a direct exception to some standard procurement requirements to allow continued support for existing grantees.
• Clear long‑term funding baseline: Establishes a fixed funding base for 2028 and later years, guiding sustained support for FHPP.

Implementation Notes

• The changes are targeted at improving program effectiveness and coordination among providers by allowing more flexible partnerships and grant mechanisms.
• The language references Minnesota Statutes related to FHPP (462A.204) and procurement rules (16C.06), indicating where these changes fit within existing law.

Relevant Terms - Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPP) - Minnesota Statutes section 462A.204 - advisory committee - local continuum of care - grantee - new grantee - existing grantee - procurement - Minnesota Statutes section 16C.06 - fiscal year - base funding / base for 2028 and beyond - appropriation - program costs - homelessness risk - housing development fund (contextual reference to related budget framework)