Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to improve access to affordable housing in Minnesota by establishing a regional housing navigator program and creating a housing choice voucher account. The bill aims to provide better support for families receiving rental vouchers and enhance collaboration between housing providers and state agencies.

Main Provisions

• Regional Housing Navigator Program: The bill requires the creation of a statewide network of at least five regional housing navigators, each in different regions, to assist families with rental vouchers in finding suitable housing and connecting with necessary resources.

• Duties of Housing Navigators: These navigators will help families locate housing, communicate with property owners, arrange inspections, and manage move-in processes. They also provide support to rental housing providers to solve issues with voucher recipients.

• Regional and Statewide Planning: Regional housing navigators are to organize bi-annual meetings with local providers and stakeholders to discuss and improve the affordable housing market. Additionally, an annual statewide meeting will combine efforts from all regional navigators.

• Housing Choice Voucher Account: This account will provide incentives for rental housing providers that lease to voucher holders. Incentives include signing bonuses, reimbursement for leasing costs, losses from holding units open, and repair expenses.

• Reporting and Recommendations: The Housing Finance Agency, in collaboration with navigators and stakeholders, must report annually on improvements to procedures for providing housing to voucher beneficiaries. The report will suggest necessary administrative or legislative changes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new program and account within Minnesota Statutes chapter 462A to support housing voucher recipients and improve coordination among stakeholders.
• Introduces financial incentives for rental housing providers to encourage leasing to families with housing vouchers.

Relevant Terms

regional housing navigator, housing choice voucher, rental vouchers, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Section 8, housing assistance, rental assistance, affordable rental housing providers, housing development fund, leasing incentives, administrative improvements, legislative changes.