Homeless youth could collect monthly stipends under House proposal

Cold, hard cash.

That’s what some lawmakers want to give homeless youth.

Sponsored by Rep. Alicia Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth), HF2008 would establish a youth cash stipend project so homeless youth ages 18-24 in Hennepin and St. Louis counties could receive a direct monthly stipend for two years.

The House Human Services Policy Committee approved the bill, as amended, Monday referring it to the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee.

“Homeless individuals die at a rate three times higher than that of Minnesota’s general population,” said Janae Petersen, a member of the Hennepin County youth advisory board. “That statistic increases when those who are homeless are under the age of 24.”

The bill would appropriate $6 million over the 2024-25 biennium, and $6 million during the 2026-27 biennium. Youthprise, a nonprofit seeking to increase equity for Minnesota’s disadvantaged youth, would administer the program.

“With evidence-based practices in mind, HF2008 is really an effort to intentionally focus on specific homeless youth and also give them the handout needed to create stable, successful lives,” Kozlowski said. A report would be due to the Legislature by Jan. 15, 2027.

Although the bill lacks exact amounts for the stipends, Kristy Snyder, director of Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network at Youthprise, said it’ll be $1,000 per month in Hennepin County, but parenting and foster youth would receive $1,200 per month.

On top of that and optional services, a one-time additional $4,000 stipend could be available to support essential needs and expenses, such as buying a vehicle or putting down a security deposit.

To avoid ineligibility for public assistance programs, such as medical assistance, the direct cash stipend would not qualify as income, assets or personal property.

“As a former young person who has navigated homeless in the Twin Cities myself, the impact of what direct cash transfers could have done for me would have been a game changer,” said Quincy Powe, Opportunity Youth Network Manager at Youthprise.