MN HF4220

Commissioner of Human Services shall update the 2007 legislative report on runaway and homeless youth using existing data, studies, and analysis from state, county, and other entities.

Required data sources include Minnesota Housing Finance Agency analysis, state homelessness plan, HUD coordinated entry systems data, Department of Human Services biannual reports, Wilder Research homeless study, Voices of Youth Count, and privately funded analyses including YouthLink return on investment and Homeless Youth Act evaluations.

Report must include three key elements: unique causes of youth homelessness, targeted responses to youth homelessness with emphasis on positive youth development, and recommendations on ending youth homelessness.

Report must account for federal and philanthropic funds supporting homeless youth activities, volunteer response increases, and geographic areas or populations with service gaps, to the extent data is available.

Commissioner shall consult with community-based providers and expert stakeholders and submit the report to legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members by December 15, 2018.