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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
On July 28, the county board approved CARES Act funding to support housing stabilization, low barrier emergency shelter, and a public information campaign.
The federal CARES Act was passed in March 2020. It provides payments to state, local, and tribal authorities to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing stabilization
The county board approved $1.2 million in CARES Act funding to establish an affordable housing stabilization fund.
The funding will provide properties, owners, and tenants with outreach, education, and assistance to prevent evictions and mortgage foreclosures. This includes the creation of a virtual tenant resource navigation tool, individualized housing resource navigation, and support for tenants in Housing Court.
Low barrier emergency shelter
The county board approved $3.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide low barrier emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Funds will be used to support an emergency shelter at 2012 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis, which the American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) is acquiring and rehabilitating. The emergency shelter will follow CDC guidance to add sheltering capacity to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It will also address the overrepresentation of Native Americans among people impacted by COVID-19.
Public information, engagement, and outreach campaign
The county board approved $2.3 million of CARES act funding for a public information, engagement, and outreach campaign. This broad, multifaceted campaign will encourage residents to wear face masks. It will also encourage people to take care of other health care needs like flu shorts and childhood vaccinations and, when appropriate, promote COVID-19 vaccinations.
Additionally, the funding will allow Hennepin County to contract with trusted messengers to augment the campaign and will support translation and interpretation services.
“Today we allocated additional federal funding to help individuals in our community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Marion Greene. “Using these funds to support individuals experiencing the devastating effects of COVID-19 are critical for us to make it through this pandemic.”
How the county is spending CARES Act funds
Since passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March, the county board passed several additional actions to fund programs and service in response to COVID-19. Highlights include funding for:
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Businesses – $28 million to support emergency relief and recovery efforts of small businesses through the Hennepin County Small Business Relief Program
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Education – $4 million targeted for youth involved in county systems, such as child welfare and corrections
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Food security – $2 million to food banks and other organizations
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Human services – $2.5 million for non-profits and community organizations that serve individuals, families, and youth involved in county systems
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Jobs – $2.5 million for job search resources for people experiencing income loss due to COVID-19
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Licensing services – $3 million to reduce backlog, create social distancing, and provide safe services at county Service Centers
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Public health – $1.7 million for multidisciplinary approach to combat COVID-19
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Rental and housing assistance – $15.7 million for emergency assistance for renters and homeowners
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Voting – $3.5 million for absentee voting
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Youth programs – $3 million to support summer youth programs
Hennepin County is using additional CARES funding to equip Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare staff to best serve residents during this pandemic. Internal focus areas include:
- Transitioning to new ways to deliver service
- Emergency response
- Time off/accommodations for employees
- Health resources for employees
More information
Learn more about the how the county uses CARES Act funding to serve residents during the pandemic at www.hennepin.us/covid-19#county-covid-funds.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
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