Mission Statement
The mission of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is to generate policies, community support and local resources for housing and services to end homelessness in Minnesota.
We believe everyone deserves a safe, decent, affordable place to call home and that homelessness is preventable.
Many factors may cause homelessness including a health crisis, a lost job, a mismatch between income and housing costs, family violence, or a transition from an institutional setting back into a community.
The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) exists to ensure the community supports are in place to prevent and address the root causes of homelessness.
We achieve our mission and vision through advocacy, technical assistance, and building public awareness. MCH is uniquely positioned as the hub of a statewide network of over 100 homeless service providers and other concerned individuals and organizations across Minnesota. MCH has been the voice for people experiencing homelessness and for service providers in state and federal policy decision-making since 1984.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
MCH co-chaired the Homes for All and Prosperity for All campaigns at the State Capitol.
In 2015, Homes for All secured an additional $25.5M for housing and homeless services in the 2016-17 state budget. Additional investments will fund the continuum of programs that provide homeless services, prevent homelessness, and create affordable housing. Funds are administered by the Department of Human Services and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
Additional investments in the state budget will provide housing or services for 1,000 individuals and over 3,100 households and will develop 500 units of affordable housing throughout the state.
In 2015, MCH advanced bipartisan legislation to increase cash assistance for families enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program for the first time since 1986. The proposal had bipartisan support and was included in Governor Dayton’s budget proposal but it was not included in the final budget negotiation. A family of 3 enrolled in MFIP receive a maximum of $532/month
An MFIP child support income disregard provision was passed and will take effect October 1, 2015. Families enrolled in MFIP who receive child support (approximately 18%) will be able to keep up to $200/month more in MFIP assistance (for households with two or more children), instead of being penalized for child support income.
Current Goals
In 2016, MCH is advocating for a historic $130 million in bonds for affordable housing, a $100 per month increase in cash assistance for families enrolled in Minnesota's welfare-to-work program, and to restore the right to vote for people with felonies.
Community or Constituency Served
The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is a statewide advocacy organization working on policy that impacts people experiencing homelessness and families enrolled in Minnesota's welfare-to-work program. MCH has over 100 member organizations that inform our policy agenda.
Geographic Area Served
The Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless is a statewide organization. Staff are based in St. Paul, Moorhead, Willmar, and Duluth.
