Provide low-barrier winter warming centers for homeless youth in Minnesota.

 

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all unhoused youth in Minnesota have access to a safe, warm, low-barrier

place to stay during the winter months when weather conditions become life threatening.

 

Minnesota winters are dangerous and can result in frostbite, hypothermia, and death. In 2019, Minnesota recorded 62

cold-related deaths and hundreds of cold-related injuries. Youth experiencing homelessness often cannot enter certain

shelters because they lack ID, transportation, or required documents. Many warming centers are only located in the

metro, which leaves youth in other Minnesota counties without safe options. This bill creates a statewide low-barrier

system so unhoused youth are not blocked from safety, and so those homeless in every county have access to basic winter

survival. No young person should freeze to death in Minnesota simply because of where they live or what they have.

 

“Low barrier” shall be defined as a place that does not require identification, sobriety, background checks, or

documentation to enter.

“Youth” shall be defined as any person aged 24 or under

“Immediate family” shall be defined as parents and siblings of the youth, who may come with them if the youth is under

age 16

“Warming center” shall be defined as a facility that:

Provides a heated space with a capacity based on 60 square feet per person

Has at least three trained adult staff members or volunteers on site at all times

Operates 24 hours a day during the November 1st through March 31st winter season

Provides basic supplies, such as blankets, drinking water, and access to restrooms

 

This bill will cost $15 million per year from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

will give grants to counties so they can run warming centers or work with organizations that already run shelters.

Each county shall operate one low-barrier youth warming center for every 500 residents, with a minimum of one center

required in every county, regardless of population.

 

If a county fails to comply with this act, DHS may suspend grant funding until the county submits an action plan and

meets program requirements

The Minnesota Department of Human Services will enforce this program, distribute funds, and check that counties follow

all rules.

 

This bill takes effect on November 1st, 2026, and will last until March 31, 2027.

Facilities will continue to open on November 1st of each year and close on March 31 of each year.