Sponsor: Housing Stability
Title
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Amendment to the Agreement with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an amendment to the agreement with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, in the amount of $5,281,093, in accordance with the rates established in the agreement.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
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Background and Rationale
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The Minnesota Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) was established in 1993 to prevent or shorten the duration people experience homelessness. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) administers the FHPAP with the guidance from the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness and the state’s plan to prevent and end homelessness. The FHPAP provides funds to serve low income (less than 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines) families with dependent children, single adults, and unaccompanied and/or parenting youth (ages 24 and younger) to prevent homelessness and/or to rapidly re-house those households that are homeless.
Ramsey County works with its community partners through an FHPAP Advisory Committee which is statutorily required, as well as the county’s Continuum of Care (CoC) comprised of 64 partners and advocates, to design a homeless crisis response system, develop project outcome measures, and assess the short and long-term effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs of residents experiencing homelessness. This biennium, the county, with approval from community partners, prioritized serving residents for the 2025-2027 grant cycle by providing street outreach, prevention assistance, coordinated entry, and rapid rehousing services.
MHFA is amending the original grant contract to modify Ramsey County’s work plan, and increase the grant proceeds of an additional $5,281,093, and modify the payment terms to meet the needs of the grantee during the grant period. This amendment does not impact the grant end date of September 30, 2027. The amendment increases the grant total to $9,296,093.
The increase in one-time grant funding was appropriated during the 2026 legislative session in recognition of the ongoing need to assist households experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness across the state and to help communities respond to emerging funding challenges and local needs. The legislation calls for the additional funds to be deployed by December 31, 2026.
Ramsey County Housing Stability department is amending six of its subgrantee contracts which include:
1. American Indian Family Center
2. Catholic Charities
3. Face to Face
4. Minnesota Community Care (also known as Westside Community Health Services)
1. Neighborhood House
2. Solid Ground
The County’s FHPAP Subgrantees provide supportive services and direct assistance to address the urgent needs of residents, providing essential services such as move-in support, eviction prevention, short-term rental support, case management, sanitation assistance to respond to condemnations/hoarding conditions, and utility assistance. The subgrantees are well established in Ramsey County and have demonstrated the capacity to efficiently respond to the high demand for housing-related help.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This amendment advances the goals of the Minnesota Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) by supporting equitable, culturally responsive homelessness prevention efforts for communities disproportionately impacted by housing instability. Ramsey County implements the FHPAP Equity Focus practice model through data-driven strategies developed in partnership with the Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care, the FHPAP Advisory Committee, and subgrantees, including the American Indian Family Center.
Since October 1, 2025, 84 percent of households served identified as a race other than White, with 52 percent identifying as Black, African American, or African. The additional funding will help ensure resources continue to reach households at greatest risk of homelessness and eviction, particularly in communities experiencing the highest levels of housing instability.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The FHPAP Advisory Committee reflects this requirement through its diverse membership, with its executive team including a lived experience consultant. The committee provides strategic guidance on the design and implementation of FHPAP-funded projects by advising on emerging community needs and trends, informing policy and practice, supporting evaluation of funding proposals for local solicitations, and reviewing project performance to support continuous improvement and effective service delivery.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The total amount of the current amendment is $5,281,093 which will be awarded to six subgrantees. Nine percent, or $828,918 of the total budget will be allocated to support Ramsey County Housing Stability Administration of FHPAP. The amendment increases the grant total to $9,296,093.
Last Previous Action
On August 19, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a grant award from the Minnesota Housing Finance Association for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (Resolution B2025-159).
Attachments
1. Draft Amendment One for Family Homelessness Prevention & Assistance Program Grant Contract Agreement
2. Exhibit B-1 Work Plan
3. Exhibit C-1 Reporting Timeline
4. Ramsey County FHPAP Amended Budget Exhibit