2/15/2022 1:00:00 PM
The Minnesota Legislature has been in session for more than a month now, and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has been active at the State Capitol, both virtually and in person. Our Legislative Director Ben Johnson and Legislative Liaison Cole Trace coordinate our efforts to connect with our Legislators, advocating for funding and legislation that will support Minnesota’s more than 304,000 Veterans.
Like all State agencies, MDVA works with the Governor’s Office before the Legislative session begins to identify our needs and budget requests. MDVA was included in the Walz-Flanagan “To Move Minnesota Forward” budget under the “Protecting Health and Safety” category.
Here are some of our initiatives supporting Minnesota’s Veterans and their families:
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor recommend funding for MDVA to provide service bonuses that recognize the sacrifices of post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star families, who currently don't receive these bonuses. Historically, the Minnesota Legislature has recognized Veterans’ service in major wars including WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. In each of the five major wars noted above, recognition has primarily been in the form of a monetary bonus to qualifying individuals.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor recommend funding over three years for removing barriers to permanent housing and creating additional incentives for landlords who rent units to Veterans experiencing homelessness. This program will create additional staffing for tenancy support services and landlord engagement and will create a fund to assist with removing housing barriers.
The Walz-Flanagan budget would allocate funds over three years to establish permanent supportive housing options for Minnesota Veterans. These housing options will have no barriers to entry and will support the goal of ending chronic and long-term homelessness among Veterans. This proposal is intended to construct up to 100 units in the seven-county metro area. These housing options will have permanent supportive services available.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s budget includes funding for supporting temporary housing options and outreach programs for Minnesota Veterans. This proposal is intended to reduce chronic and long-term homelessness and disparities within the response system. Hotel rooms that have been provided to Veterans experiencing homelessness throughout the pandemic have proven successful in increasing engagement and housing outcomes and reducing average days to housing. Additional outreach in encampments and shelters and peer supports are needed to engage with individuals. This proposal will provide continued support for temporary housing options and increase outreach capacity throughout Minnesota. This proposal will also provide additional staffing for outreach efforts.
The Governor recommends increasing funding to the annual grants to Veterans Service Organizations and Minnesota’s County Veterans Service Offices.
The Governor recommends contributing to the construction of a Fisher House near the Fargo VA Medical Center. The Fisher House program provides temporary lodging to Veterans and their families while they receive medical care for injuries or illnesses they incurred while on active duty. This Fargo facility would offer support to Minnesota Veterans.
The Governor recommends additional funding for State Veterans Cemeteries operations, including for the newest State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood Falls. This cemetery is expected to open in late 2022.
The Governor recommends an addition in funding for the construction, furnishing and equipping of new Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston. This will help to cover unexpected cost increases.
The Governor recommends funding to replace the facility that houses the Veterans Domiciliary Program at the Veterans Home in Hastings. The improvements would provide updated facilities with private rooms and bathrooms along with more program and treatment spaces.
The Governor recommends supporting department-wide asset preservation that would address necessary repairs and maintain more than 1 million square feet spread over dozens of buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old, that are home to hundreds of Veteran Residents. MDVA has an estimated total of $80 million in deferred maintenance needs.
MDVA looks forward to working with the Minnesota Legislature this session on these important funding needs.
If you need information or support on any Veteran issue, please visit our website, contact your County Veterans Service Officer, or contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.
Thank YOU for your service!
