Hennepin County Emergency Response To-Date Recap

commissioner marion greene

July 11, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

The first half of 2020 has been a truly incomparable six months. 

As a community and country we've experienced the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19, the murder of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody, civil unrest, a spike in housing instability in Hennepin County and of course, every individual's unique hardship attached to these trials.

As a board we’ve worked on broad community responses to the pandemic (e.g., funding housing stability, expanded shelter, small business support, youth internet connectivity and summer activities for youth), each of which evolve daily. The county board has also responded to meet the needs of individuals experiencing the ripple effects of stress, trauma, and loss from one, all, or any combination of the moment's volatility. We do all this work with our eyes to the future, and with the long-term welfare of Hennepin County and county residents in mind.

This newsletter will focus on the county emergency response efforts to-date. At the very end we provide some new information on the growing number of COVID-19 cases among young people. 

Be well,

marion signature

 

P.S. Hennepin County and the District 3 office are here if you need to engage with one of the county’s many services or supports. We want to hear from you whether it be comments, opinions, ideas, or if you need assistance. The most efficient way to be in touch is by emailing my district aide, Laura Hoffman, at laura.hoffman@hennepin.us.

Cash Grants for Residents Impacted by COVID-19

Small Business Loans

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has authorized a total of $25M since March to support small businesses and self-employed residents recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hennepin County Small Business Relief Program received 2,290 applications representing 36 cities. A total of 1,056 applications were selected via randomized lottery for funding consideration. The additional funding passed in early June is expected to cover the remainder of the applications.

 

Rental Assistance

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. To qualify, you must:

  • Rent anywhere in Hennepin County.
  • Have 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 housing costs this month.
  • Not currently receive Section 8 or other rental assistance.

There is no deadline to apply. Priority will be given to households with the lowest incomes and those not eligible for unemployment insurance. 

Learn more about rental assistance here. If you do not have internet access or cannot complete the form in English call 612-302-3160.

 

Employment Assistance

The board allocated $2.5 million of federal CARES Act funding to organizations serving people who were laid off, furloughed, or unemployed due to COVID-19. Organizations can use funding to provide:

  • Assistance to apply for unemployment insurance
  • Support services for basic needs
  • Training
  • Services to prepare for a return to work
  • For employers – help securing the talent they need
  • For youth – career exploration, employment, training, and technology to ensure successful distance learning

 

Advocating for State and Federal Funds

Hennepin County joins other government partners in requesting state and federal aid for properties that were damaged during civil unrest. The board affirmed its support of these efforts on Thursday and amended its 2020 state legislative platform.

 

Justice and Public Safety

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioner voted in early June to amend our state legislative agenda to Support legislation reforming use of reasonable force by police officers so that greater police accountability is achieved and increase the ability of local jurisdictions to remove police officers who violate law enforcement best practices and community standards.

I continue to work with my colleagues to determine the best ways Hennepin County can address the role it plays in systemic racism, especially when it comes to unjust policing.

 

COVID-19 Response

Long Term Care Facilities and Vulnerable Populations

The Board allocated $1.7M for a multi-faceted approach to minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Hennepin County will:

  • Hire 25 staff to provide mobile testing at long-term care facilities, neighborhoods and communities most disproportionately impacted, and other emergent locations
  • Hire 15 staff for contact tracing and investigation efforts
  • Contract with Hennepin Healthcare to provide COVID-19 testing services
  • Supply the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for these staff

 

Support for Hennepin County’s Non-Profit Partners

The board approved a $2.5 million federal CARES Act allotment for emergency relief and recovery. The allotment supports private non-profits and community organizations impacted by COVID-19 that serve county-involved individuals, families, and youth.

Funding will support facility adaptations, technology, supplies, and personal protective equipment that the providers need to safely carry out services during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the funding will support the county’s disparity reduction work and those entities that deliver services to disadvantaged individuals and communities.

 

Resources for County-Involved Youth

The board approved $1.5 million of CARES Act spending to support resources for distance learning for youth involved in county systems, such as child welfare and corrections. This money is being used to address individual technology needs and help address internet connectivity disparities.

 

Safe Summer Youth Activities

The board allocated $1 million of CARES Act funding to help organizations safely provide youth programs and organized youth sports during COVID-19. Organizations will use funding for facility adaptations, technology, supplies and personal protective equipment.

 

Housing and Homelessness

Hotels for At-Risk and COVID-19 Positive Folks

Hennepin County is currently operating six hotel sites for at-risk and COVID+ people experiencing homelessness. These sites have 625 total units which serve both families and single adults.

 

Daytime Shelter Expansion

County funded homeless shelters have reduced their capacity by more than 50%, spread spaces out across their buildings, expanded to various hotels, shifted to 24-hour operations, are providing three meals a day and County-contracted vendors are providing additional cleaning supports. They continue to shelter new people each day and are stable operating at this level. Hennepin County and the city of Minneapolis have both contributed funds to help shelters stay open 24 hours a day.

Additionally, the Salvation Army Harbor Lights Center, DID, MAD DADS, the City and Hennepin County have partnered to open a safe space at Currie Avenue and 10th Street designed to help people experiencing homelessness safely comply while the state’s stay-at-home order was in place.

 

Culturally Specific Outreach and Housing Assistance

The board has approved $200,000 for added crisis outreach and housing navigation services for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Support will be focus on the Native American community, which is disproportionally affected by homelessness. The county is working with the American Indian Community Development Corp and Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center to provide services.

 

Increased Funding for Affordable Housing Projects

Acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the County Board has awarded $9.6 million to help fund 18 affordable housing, development and infrastructure projects. These awards use existing program dollars to help create or preserve more than 700 affordable housing units, respond to community needs, reinvest in our local economy, and support people experiencing chronic homelessness.

 

Get Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, you can reach Hennepin County/Simpson Housing’s Adult Shelter Connect line at 612.248.2350. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments are available by phone only at this time.

 

Read my July 9 review on Homelessness and Providing Safe Shelter.

 

Vote-By-Mail in the 2020 Elections

The board has allocated $3.5M in CARES Act funding to help facilitate efficient and accurate voting procedures, including encouraging people to vote by mail.

You can apply to receive a mail-in ballot for the 2020 primary and general elections on the MN Secretary of State website: https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/ABRegistration/ABRegistrationStep1.aspx

Stay Safe

Young people can get COVID-19 and spread it to others

The median age of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota continues to drop. Minnesotans age 20-29 now make up the state's largest age group of confirmed cases.

Image of younger person and older person

 

Tips for visiting friends/family at higher risk 

View this video from the CDC for safety tips when visiting friends and family who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Screenshot of video from CDC

County Information

Contact us

Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883

Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125

Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863

hennepin.us

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