Two years since its launch, the Youth Mitigation Fund is providing a safety net for young adults who could be successfully housed with some additional support.
For young adults enrolled in the program, they agree to additional education and oversite while their landlord agrees to work with the tenant and their housing service provider. In exchange, the landlord is eligible to receive financial support in the event of property damage and/or lost rental income.
The Youth Mitigation Fund is held at Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) through its (Ending) Homelessness program. An independent advisory committee manages the mitigation fund program while seeking to build strong relationships with landlords, housing providers, and youth living through homelessness.
“Partnerships with landlords, tenants, and collaborative housing service providers is a crucial strategy to ending youth homelessness,” said Margret Treuer, program offer at NMF. “We are determined to improve the homeless response system in Minnesota. Reducing the amount of time that a youth remains homeless is the primary goal of this program.”
To date, 19 participants have used the mitigation fund program, each having been housed within 30 days. Results show that 75 percent of the exits from the program have been successful, with only one claim filed.
A look at who the program is helping
NMF recently evaluated the Youth Mitigation Fund program, finding that 100 percent of the participants enrolled had a negative credit history, 50 percent a criminal history, and 30 percent a negative rental record. More than 35 percent enrolled in the program came from emergency shelters throughout the region. The program is open to those young adults aged 16 to 24.
“For many youth, being able to have a place to call their own is the main benefit of the program,” Treuer said. “Some youth housed through this program have never had their own bed before.”
As an example, one participant, who was pregnant, had other young children and was fleeing domestic violence. They had no credit and a criminal history, which typically limits housing options, but after working with a local provider housing, they were able to be housed. This individual had never had their own bedroom before.
“The landlord housing this youth has now become a leading member on the program’s advisory committee, because the landlord supports the program’s mission wholeheartedly,” Treuer said.
Funding needed if program is to grow
The fund currently serves 18 youth throughout the region and is basically at full capacity.
Treuer noted that while the fund has the potential to support more young adults, additional funding would be required to enroll more participants.
Data indicates that as many as 73 youth are currently seeking housing and could benefit from a program such as this.
If you would like to donate to support the Youth Mitigation Fund (formerly known as the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund), please click HERE.
