2026 Legislative Session Recap

2026 Legislative Session Overview

Catholic Charities Twin Cities advocates at the Minnesota State Capitol each year for policies and funding that benefit people served through our programs.

This year, our priorities focused on stabilizing supportive housing and changing systems to better serve Minnesotans in need.

Despite a challenging financial landscape, Catholic Charities successfully advocated for important bi-partisan initiatives; lawmakers made key investments this legislative session that will help Minnesotans exit homelessness and remain in their homes.

Catholic Charities Legislative Priorities

 

1. Protect Access to Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent Supportive Housing, which pairs a safe place to live with supportive services, is a proven approach to creating housing stability for our neighbors with the highest needs. Yet funding for these essential programs is not stable. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is in the process of changing its funding priorities which will decrease funding for this proven intervention.

Catholic Charities worked in coalition with many partner organizations to advocate for key investments to stabilize supportive housing.

As a result of coalition efforts, the legislature invested $13 million in supportive housing this year.

The funding passed this session will help stabilize the system amidst federal funding uncertainties, and will provide time for advocates, legislative leaders, and the state to work together to develop sustainable funding solutions. In a legislative session with a tied House of Representatives and a one-vote majority in the Senate, these are important, bi-partisan wins for Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents.

Catholic Charities, alongside our partners, activated our grass roots networks to let lawmakers know the importance of supportive housing. We all came together, shared our voices and made a difference.

2. Help People Stay Housed

Families in Minnesota are struggling to make ends meet as they grapple with a lack of affordable housing options and costs of living that have continued to rise. Last year, $8.35 million was awarded to the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP), a program that provides supportive services and financial assistance to individuals and families who are unhoused or at imminent risk of homelessness. This investment was important but was not enough to meet the full need of families and individuals across that state who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes.

The legislature invested $40 million in FHPAP this session — a critical measure that will help countless Minnesotans.

Media Coverage

  • FOX 9 TV: “MN permanent supportive housing: How one model helps chronically homeless find stability,” by Tim Blotz (May 5, 2026)
  • KSTP 5 TV: “More Minnesota families struggling as wages fail to keep pace with rising costs,,” by KaMaria Braye (May 6, 2026)
  • MinnPost: “Report: Legislature passes housing bill amid feds’ threat to strategy to prevent homelessness: $4 million in funding for supportive housing is a small step toward addressing what’s likely to become a much larger need,” by Trevor Mitchell (May 14, 2026)
  • MN Housing News: “Board approves $50.6 million to preserve nearly 2,600 affordable rental homes,” (May 28, 2026)
  • This is Medicaid: “Press Conference: Advocates share how older adults rely on Medicaid services and supports to age with dignity and get care in their homes or nursing homes,” passcode: pALRD$Q6 (April 7, 2026)

    Get Involved

    Interested in getting involved with Catholic Charities advocacy? Please contact Carole Specktor, Community Advocacy Manager, at carole.specktor@cctwincities.org.

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