Stable, affordable, and dignified places to live are available to everyone, especially those experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness.

Policy

Develop programming and support local, regional, and state policy that makes it less likely for residents in the region to experience housing instability and homelessness, with focused support for people who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Actions are grouped under the categories of Partner, Plan, and Provide to better tell the story of how policy produces results.

• Livable Communities Act programs prioritize funding housing projects that serve residents who are or have experienced homelessness and/or incorporate supportive services.
• Improve outreach and work to simplify access and reduce barriers to Met Council rental assistance programs.
• Increase the capacity to connect with individuals using transit as shelter (via Housing Action Team and program partners) to find appropriate housing options and supports.
• Offer technical assistance for local communities to develop and refine programs that provide housing stability, including partnerships with education systems and social services providers.
• When using Met Council-owned land for development, seek opportunities to prioritize housing options accessible to residents experiencing housing instability and/or voucher holders.
• Develop best practices and technical assistance to support local tenant protection policies, specifically around rent stabilization and eviction.
• Support continued participation in project-based subsidy programs by engaging property owners and emphasizing the community benefits of participation.
• Prioritize developments that incorporate supportive services for allocating project-based vouchers.
• Prioritize American Indian-led organizations for funding and partnerships when serving American Indian people.
  

• Require local comprehensive plans to identify tools the local government will seek to use or continue to use to meet the need for stabilizing services and shelter.
• Continue to apply the creation of newly constructed High Priority Homeless units towards a local government’s allocation of Future Affordable Housing Need

• Collaborate with counties, Community Action Partnerships, Continuums of Care, and schools on funding sources and priorities for ending homelessness in the region.
• Continue collaboration with state agencies via Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness.
• Engage with people with lived experience of homelessness to guide Met Council policies, programs and plans and compensate participants who serve in a consulting role.
• Convene partners throughout the region to set goals and address the need for shelter as a regional issue
• Increase the capacity of partnerships with community organizations, housing authorities and schools to develop place-based supportive services and programming (such as Homework Starts with Home) to assist voucher holders with achieving stability in a place of their choice.

Read the next objective, policy, and actions