Homeless shelter clients needing help in securing a place to live would be assisted under a bill that proposes dedicating $10 million in bond proceeds to transitional and permanent housing efforts.

HF1124, sponsored by Rep. Lynne Osterman (R-New Hope), will be considered for inclusion in a House bonding bill. It was presented April 23 to the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee.

The money would be given to the state Housing Finance Agency for transfer to the housing development fund to make loans for permanent and transitional supportive housing efforts. Non-profit organizations that purchase, create, or rehabilitate transitional and permanent housing typically receive the funds.

Numbers compiled for the federal government indicate there are 15,000 individuals and families with unmet housing needs throughout Minnesota, according to Michael Dahl, director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.

There are 2,000 units of supportive housing in Minnesota and an additional 1,800 in the planning process that need capital support, said Jonathan Farmer, executive director of the Minnesota Supportive Housing Consortium.

A Senate companion bill (SF165), sponsored by Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action in the Senate Finance Committee.

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