County resources for residents

Please share these county resources widely with the county residents you serve.

Resource helpline

Hennepin County has opened a helpline to provide support for people impacted by COVID-19 who need help with clothing, financial assistance, grocery and household supplies, medical care and equipment, or medication. Please share widely.

612-348-3000
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
7 days a week
Help available in different languages

Emergency rental assistance for households impacted by COVID-19

Hennepin County has up to $15 million available to help low-income renters who can’t afford their housing costs this month due to COVID-19.

Residents may qualify for emergency rental assistance if they:

• Rent anywhere in Hennepin County
• Had household income below 50% of the area median income (about $46,550 for a three-person household) before COVID-19
• Lost income due to COVID-19 that has not been replaced by unemployment insurance or other emergency assistance
• Can’t afford  their housing costs this month
• Are not currently receiving Section 8 or other rental assistance

There is no deadline to apply. Households with the lowest incomes and those not eligible for Unemployment Insurance will receive priority.

Learn more and apply at hennepin.us/rent-help

Mental health resources for providers and residents

The murder of George Floyd and our community’s reaction are taking a toll on the well-being of a community already stressed by the pandemic.

Service providers and the people they serve may be traumatized by their own experiences and what they've seen and heard happen to others. In addition to what's happening right now, people also can be struggling with past trauma from systemic racism and violence.

Here’s a list of mental health resources that may be useful during this time:

• Coping with Grief After Community Violence
  This fact sheet discusses tips on how to cope with grief after an incident of community violence. It introduces common signs of grief and anger, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief.
• Family-Care, Community-Care and Self-Care Tool Kit
  Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma  The Community Healing Network and the Association of Black Psychologists produced this extensive guide of ways to promote healing in individuals, families and communities.
• Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Fact Sheet for Organizations Employing Community Violence Workers
  Human Services workers may experience secondary traumatic stress when assisting people who are suffering. This guide provides information about the issue, who is at risk, and what can help.
• Racial Trauma and Self-Care in Tragedy
  A curated list of links from the University of North Texas includes articles, videos and reports covering topics from building resilience to helping end racism.
• Tips for Survivors of Disaster
  Effects of trauma on physical, emotional, financial and work life, and signs that may indicate help is needed.
• Strategies for Practicing Self-Care from Racial Battle Fatigue
  A study of the cumulative effects of repeated exposure to racism and the effectiveness of self-care techniques.

Community supported resources

As our communities come together to rebuild, many organizations and neighborhoods are developing local support systems for Twin Cities residents.

This community-sourced Twin Cities mutual aid map provides up to date information about locations that are distributing food and supplies, as well as locations still in need of supplies and volunteers. Hennepin County did not prepare and is not involved in maintaining this asset, but is sharing it as a resource for providers who work with residents in need. 

Questions or ideas

Our communities have been shaken by the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent unrest. The events of the past weeks, on top of an already demanding situation caused by the pandemic, continue to harm us and the people we serve in devastating ways.

As our communities grieve, come together and rebuild, please reach out to your contract manager or Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health partners with any questions or ideas.

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