MN HF3649

Commissioner of human services shall establish the unlocking opportunities grant program to award grants to providers serving locked-out individuals with community-based housing services.

"Locked-out individual" is defined as a single adult with more than one felony conviction who meets at least two criteria: chronic unemployment history, mental illness, chemical dependency, or homelessness/at-risk status.

Grant recipients must provide affordable housing and at least four of six available services: employment/training/job placement, medical/dental/mental health care, independent living skills training, parenting skills/family reunification, advocacy/referral services, or aftercare/follow-up services.

Commissioner shall prioritize grant applicants capable of providing the greatest number of services and must prepare biennial reports beginning October 2017 on service needs, grant distribution, and program effectiveness.

$14,100,000 is appropriated from the general fund for fiscal year 2017 for the unlocking opportunities grant program, added to the base budget.