Advocacy
Advocacy is an important part of supporting issues that impact our community. When you speak with a government official, you are attempting to influence decisions they make that affect us, our neighbors, our community, our state, or our country.
Minnesota Homeless Day on the Hill
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Well before dawn on Wednesday, March 12, a group of housing advocates from the Duluth area boarded a bus at Coppertop, stopped at Chum and the Warming Center, and then heading to the State Capitol in St. Paul for Minnesota Homeless Day on the Hill. This annual event is jointly sponsored by two statewide coalitions who lead advocacy on shelter and deeply affordable housing. Chum is a member of both the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and Homes for All. Every year in March we bus a group down to share our concerns and policy priorities.
This year, we were able to meet with Senator Grant Hauschild from District 3 and Senator Jen McEwen from District 8, as well as Representative Pete Johnson from District 8A. Our legislators heard the concerns and policy requests from about 50 Minnesotans. They listened and offered their support. We look forward to working together with them to achieve solutions as they continue to prioritize issues impacting housing and shelter in the Northland.
Senator Grant Hauschild has co-authored Senate File 1339 which requests a one-time $20M transfer from general obligation bond proceeds to Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. These funds would then be transferred to the housing development fund of the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure grant program to prevent homelessness. In 2023-2024 homelessness increased 70% in St. Louis County.
Representative Natalie Zeleznikar from District 3B had scheduled to meet with us, but was called away to a hearing as the author of House File 1831, which, if passed, will allow Chum to continue a decades-long practice of successful and prompt background checks on staff, volunteers and board members- allowing them to safely provide for those utilizing our services. We hope to meet up when she has an in-district Town Hall meeting and will keep you informed.
Representative Liish Kozlowski from District 8B also had to miss our meeting due to their legislative duties. This year, they have authored House File 1385, which proposes funds appropriated in 2026 and 2027 from the general fund be allocated to the commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency for a statewide tenant education and hotline service that provides free and confidential legal advice for all Minnesota renters.
Sign up for Chum’s Advocacy Team to receive updates, meeting times, and action alerts as we move through the 2025 Legislative Session! https://www.tfaforms.com/5119818
We continue to seek the funding necessary to expand Chum’s shelter. Stepping On Up partner organizations continue to advocate for funding for the Union Gospel Mission expansion.
Let’s continue to thank our representatives for the work they are doing, and press home the urgency of our needs in Duluth to create an effective and compassionate system to address homelessness in Minnesota.
Duluth Public Safety Ordinances
On June 28th the Supreme Court announced a decision in the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass that determined this community in Oregon was not guilty of cruel and unusual punishment in their decision to arrest or ticket people for sleeping outside when they have no place to go, when there were not enough safe, accessible shelter beds available.
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On July 29th the Duluth City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting camping on city property if shelter space is available. A proposal to change shelter space to shelter beds did not succeed as an amendment. However, the penalty was amended to an ordinance violation with a $200 fine instead of the proposed misdemeanor charge with accompanying up to $1000 fine and up to 90 days in jail, which many described as the criminalization of homelessness. Duluth was the 2nd city in Minnesota to enact such a ban. Brainerd had announced earlier in the week they were considering the same after observing results in Duluth.
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The City Council also offered an additional $500K to fund a Triage Center, but the struggle continues to be identifying a suitable location. This particular City Council has been very engaged with service providers in seeking creative solutions to the growing number of neighbors living unsheltered in our community, and our partnership will continue.
Many of you have engaged in the discussion, contacted City Council members and the Mayor, and become educated on this challenging and complex situation of homelessness in Duluth. Thank you for joining us in the work to create a more just and compassionate community.
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Sign up for Chum's advocacy network to stay informed and learn out how you can join your voice in the work of advocating for a more just and compassionate community.
Local Discussion: Affordable Housing and Economic Development
Duluth is facing many challenges, including housing vacancy and affordability which has a disproportionate impact on low- and moderate-income households. More than half of Duluthians who rent are paying more than they can afford for housing, which impacts the capacity of businesses to attract employees to the community. Housing availability and affordability are directly related to economic development.
A Neilsberg Research analysis of US Census data compared Duluth to MN cities with populations exceeding 50,000 residents. Duluth ranks 18th out of 19 for median household income, falling almost to the bottom in household income range among all large MN cities.
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It’s no surprise then that a recent study by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies indicates nearly 1 in 3 Duluth renters are severely cost-burdened, spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Using data compiled by the Census and the American Community Survey, 32.2% of Duluthians are spending 50% of their income on housing, and 50.5% of renters are cost-burdened by spending 30-50% of their income on housing.
“According to the study, average rent sat at $950 a month, while the average renter household’s income was just above $27,800. Sumair Sheikh, executive director of LISC pointed to an example of someone who said a 250-square-foot studio which they had rented for $425 in 2017 is now going for $950 in 2024.”
John Cole points to the analysis of affordable housing in 2019 by Maxfield Research, which identified a need of 3,500 additional units in affordable multi-family housing. (To see the full study, visit https://duluthmn.gov/media/9677/city-of-duluth_update-of-aff_workforce-hsg-need-final.pdf). Housing units being constructed are primarily at market rate prices and therefore cater mostly to professionals who have found above median income employment in our city.
Even so, our health care employers, St. Luke's and Essentia Health, continue to discuss the need for affordable and workforce housing to support their expanding employment bases. The need for housing to serve low- and moderate-income households remains strong, particularly for those taking lower wage jobs in sectors with growing employment opportunities.
At Chum, 41% of those on the wait list for subsidized housing have been there for more than two years. There are simply not enough housing units available, and the number of people living unhoused continues to rise. St. Louis County reports a 41% rise in overall homelessness and 157% rise in chronic homelessness in the ten years from 2013 – 2023.
Duluth community leaders are struggling with funding allocation decisions that involve economic development and affordable housing. The City Council has previously allocated funds to the HRA of Duluth, and our City Administration has asked them to reallocate some of the same funds to economic development. Councilors are split on this issue, which will come up for a vote again at their May meeting.
If you would like to get more involved, please join Chum’s Advocacy Team to receive updates and action alerts! Sign up here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5119818
Policies We Advocated For
How To Lobby Elected Officials
You can write a letter, schedule a visit, make a phone call, or send an email!
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What to say and how to say it effectively:
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Set your goals- one or two issues are a better way to go so your issues stand out and your intent is clear. What do you want to get out of your visit, email, or phone call? Are you asking them to support legislation, commit to a vote on your issue, or educate them on a specific topic?
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Listen to learn- listening is one of the most important things to do while lobbying. It’s your opportunity to learn more about the elected official’s thoughts on your issue, where they stand, and opportunities to provide more information on your topic.
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Be prepared, but not an expert- Read up on your issue and be well prepared, but don’t feel like you need to be an expert in the field in order to talk to your elected official. It’s okay if you don’t know an answer to their question because this is a great opportunity to learn more and follow up with them once you know more.
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Keep it short- try to keep your message short and concise. Elected officials want to hear from their constituents, but they also run on a tight schedule. Whether you like what you hear, or are disappointed in their response it’s okay to let them know, but be respectful. Always thank them for their time and leave room for further discussion if needed.
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Build Rapport- express your appreciation to elected officials when they support your issues, but there may be a time when they don’t support an issue that you think they should. Even if they don’t support your position, your visit or communication on the issue could be enough to prevent them from being active opponents.
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Share a personal story- Sharing a personal story about how your issue personally affects you can be powerful. Explaining why the issue is important to you through a story is a great way to make your issue real and relatable for your elected official.
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Link to finding your legislator:
https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/
Map of districts, legislators or city councilors, and their contact info
Where is your congregation? List of congregations under each district
Chum’s local-level priorities include an increase in shelter capacity, construction and preservation of affordable housing, healthcare, and educational equity, and identifying actions to dismantle structural racism in Duluth.
We need Shelter Capital to expand shelter
and staffing capacity
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In Duluth, there are 155 shelter beds (with all shelters usually at or above capacity). In addition, there are about 600 people utilizing the Warming Center or living in places unfit for human habitation.
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We need funding for Stepping On Up
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Stepping On Up will change the response to homelessness in Duluth and move people from being unsheltered to living in our Shelter-Next facilities
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We need funding for Affordable Housing
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The shelter will always be necessary as an emergency response to a crisis resulting in homelessness, but it should be a short-term, one-time stay that leads to stable and affordable housing.
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2023 Policy Outcomes
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We made some big waves this last legislative session. Minnesota lawmakers moved forward and spent more than we ever have on housing. Read more about all the things we accomplished and where we are heading!
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Policies We Advocated For
Chum’s local-level priorities include an increase in shelter capacity, construction and preservation of affordable housing, healthcare and educational equity, and identifying actions to dismantle structural racism in Duluth.
Shelter Capital to expand shelter and staffing capacity
In Duluth, there are 155 shelter beds (with all shelters usually at or above capacity). In addition, there are about 600 people utilizing the Warming Center or living in places unfit for human habitation.
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Chum provides a low-barrier shelter for persons who encounter access issues with other shelter models. A low-barrier shelter does not require individuals to be sober during their stay. Likewise, there are people who encounter issues with the low-barrier model. We need more shelter beds to provide access for those currently unable to utilize the low-barrier shelter.
Ask our legislators to support the Pathway Home Act (HF444 & SF388) which provides:
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$150 million for Shelter Capital in one-time funding
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$40 million in 2024/25 and $70 million in 2026/27 for Emergency Services Program grants
If passed, we can use these funds to expand short-term shelter capacity, and acquire or construct innovative transitional and long-term housing for unsheltered people working to build more stable lives.
Funding for Stepping On Up
Stepping On Up will change the response to homelessness in Duluth and move people from being unsheltered to living in our Shelter-Next facilities (four of them, each sheltering 25 persons, providing access to needed stabilization services, and allowing barriers to be addressed); and then into ultra-affordable housing (200 of them) where they can build a community that can make stability, employment, and self-sufficiency possible.
Ask our legislators to support the Pathway Home Act (HF444 & SF388) which provides:
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$150 million for Shelter Capital in one-time funding (Phase II)
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$40 million in 2024/25 and $70 million in 2026/27 for Emergency Services Program grants (Phases I – III)
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$25 million in 2024/25 and $40 million in 2026/27 for Homeless Youth Act grants
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$9 million for Transitional Housing Programs (Phase III)
If passed, we can use these funds to:
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Create Shelter-Next housing for people following their release from treatment, corrections, or chronic homelessness. (Phase II)
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Provide training opportunities for people experiencing barriers so they can have stability and independence, and attain employment and self-sufficiency. (Phase III)
​Funding for Affordable Housing
The shelter will always be necessary as an emergency response to a crisis resulting in homelessness, but it should be a short-term, one-time stay that leads to stable and affordable housing. There is a big need for affordable units where those working at minimum wage can rent using no more than 30% of their monthly income. People working in the community should be able to live near their place of employment. Duluth needs 3800 affordable housing units by 2029 (2020 Mayor’s Housing Task Force Report)
Ask our legislators to support the Pathway Home Act (HF444 & SF388) which provides
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$750 million one-time investment in homes to address the full continuum of housing needs and ensure homes for all.
Policy Outcomes
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In 2023 Minnesotans invested $2.1 billion toward housing and homelessness. Issues addressed include Chum's priorities: the expansion and preservation of shelter spaces, funding that supports shelter operations, outreach, and other key resources and services to support families, individuals, and seniors experiencing homelessness.
Chum has applied for funding from the Minnesota one-time investment of $100M in shelter capital. The Emergency Services Program had a base funding availability of $1.68M statewide, and Chum received a portion of funding for staff from this fund. The 2023 Legislature made the following changes, which, if our application is funded, will enable us to hire staff to go with the shelter expansion.
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2024/25 ESP base funding available is $43.68M
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2026/27 ESP base funding available is $68.68M
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2028/29 ESP base funding available is $73.68M
Thanks to the advocates in the Chum group of congregations who partnered with us on these efforts. We work in coalition with many other organizations and congregations throughout the state through both the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. Together, we successfully advocated for policies that will have a significant impact on making Duluth a more just and compassionate community, and Minnesotans all over the state will benefit from our labors.