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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-08

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $1.72 million per year for the 2025-2027 fiscal period to the Department of Health and Human Services to create a grant program that funds municipalities and nonprofit organizations in establishing or expanding temporary emergency shelters for homeless individuals during severe weather. The Division of Aging will manage the program with selection criteria based on applicant needs and local poverty rates, with individual grants capped at $215,000 annually.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses a critical public health issue by providing safe shelter during dangerous cold weather conditions, potentially saving lives among vulnerable homeless populations.
• •Proponents contend that the grant structure allows local organizations to tailor solutions to their communities' specific needs, and that requiring annual reporting ensures accountability and transparency in how funds are used.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether $1.72 million is sufficient to meaningfully expand shelter capacity across the state, or argue that funds should address root causes of homelessness rather than temporary emergency measures.
• •Some may also raise concerns about the appropriateness of housing-related funding being managed through the Division of Aging rather than a homelessness-specific agency.