Heading Home Hennepin Monthly Newsletter
The Heading Home Hennepin monthly newsletter aims to be a resource for the community of individuals that work to increase housing stability for residents of Hennepin County.
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This month in the HHH Newsletter:
Heading Home Hennepin:
- Hennepin CoC notice of funding opportunity update
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Hennepin County was selected to receive Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project funding
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Bringing services to encampments, identifying pathways from street to housing
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Learn more about homelessness prevention coordination in Hennepin County
Community Announcements:
County, City, State News:
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County designates federal funding for new shelter facility
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Minneapolis City Council approves right to counsel ordinance for low-income renters facing eviction
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County board approves $2.2 million to support people at risk of eviction
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City of Minneapolis accepting applications for Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program
Federal call to action:
Heading Home Hennepin CoC Updates
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Hennepin CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Update
Projects have received preliminary rankings
The annual HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) competition requires each CoC to rank all CoC funded renewal projects, as well as new projects that were submitted this year.
The ranking of the project applications was recently released by the Hennepin CoC Funding Committee, a working committee of the Hennepin CoC, who, for the first time, worked alongside members of the newly formed Hennepin CoC LEAG (Lived Expertise Advisory Group).See the preliminary rankings: 2021 Hennepin CoC Priority List
The Priority List, and all other 2021 NOFO documents can be viewed at www.hennepin.us/HeadingHomeHennepin
Hennepin County to receive Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project funding
Hennepin County was one of 33 communities selected by HUD to receive funding through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP). The YHDP funding will provide up to $3,464,687 towards ending youth homelessness in the county. See HUD announcement.
What is the YHDP?
The YHDP is an opportunity to:
- create an in-depth plan that analyzes the needs of youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in their community;
- identifies critical stakeholders; and
- determines specific action steps and interventions to substantially decrease and end youth homelessness in the community.
Join Kickoff and planning efforts:
The Hennepin YHDP (virtual) kickoff session will be on October 20th from 3pm-4pm. We would love to have your participation in this discussion! To join, use meeting link that is shared below.
Please see the YHDP resource page for further information. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please feel free to fill out this google form to note your interest and participation.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join YHDP Kickoff
Download YHDP Kickoff meeting agenda
Bringing services to encampments, identifying pathways from street to housing
Occupants of an encampment that has endured since the summer of 2020, in Near North/Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis, were growing increasingly concerned about elevated threats and risks to their health and safety.
Hennepin’s Healthcare for the Homeless and the Hennepin County Access Team responded to these concerns, by setting up a service tent and bringing low barrier services directly to the camp. Over duration of two weeks, in early September, the team was able to engage and support these households by identifying pathways from “street” to housing and in the process demonstrated a promising model for the future.
Services
Services that are provided in the delivery model included:
- covid-19 vaccinations,
- mental health assessments,
- medication support, wound and other medical care,
- applications for benefits,
- referrals to emergency shelter and housing programs, Coordinated Entry (CES) Assessments, and support with housing navigation and ongoing case management.
Results at Near North
From this two-week intensive service initiative:
A model for the future
This pilot shows that there is a response to encampments that can be both trauma-informed, and housing focused, and that a ‘street to housing’ model is possible. Hennepin County’s Office to End Homelessness, in partnership with government and non-profit partners, will continue to bring this model to scale through 2021 and into 2022.
Learn more about homelessness prevention coordination in Hennepin County
Join us for a community meeting:
Hear about progress made on a coordinated system for residents in need of prevention resources. Provide your comments and insights. We want your input!
Two options:
- Thursday, November 4, 3-4 p.m.
- Monday, November 8, 2-3 p.m.
Register:
Sign up and pick the option that works for you: Sign up here.
Community Announcements
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MPHA to Open Family Housing Waiting Lists |
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) will be accepting online applications for its Two, Three, Four and Five-bedroom Family Housing Waitlist beginning 8 AM Friday November 5, 2021, -through Monday November 9, 2021, at 12 noon.
To apply for the waiting list, applicants must visit MPHA’s website at portal.mphaonline.org. Applicants may complete the application from any computer or cell phone with Internet access 24 hours per day during the noted time period. There will be a limited number of kiosks and staff to provide assistance at 1001 Washington Ave North during business hours.
Date set for annual Homeless Memorial March and Service
For 37 years, hundreds of community members have come together for the Homeless Memorial March and Service to remember people who have died while homeless. More information: Homeless Memorial 2021 - Simpson Housing
If you know someone who was homeless, formerly homeless, or an advocate for the homeless community who passed away in 2021, please visit: https://www.simpsonhousing.org/events/memorial-march/. Deadline to submit names is December 1.
 Peris Hill | Housing Properties | Volunteers of America (voamnwi.org)
City, County, and State News
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County designates federal funding for new shelter facility
The board designated federal funds for a new emergency shelter. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The county is contributing $3.5 million in federal funds for a new shelter that will be part of Simpson Housing Service’s redevelopment project.
Funding will help ensure that Simpson can continue providing emergency shelter, as a key part of the community’s homeless response system. It has been a critical resource during the pandemic, operating at or near full capacity throughout.
Simpson is building a new five-story building, including a shelter, permanent supportive housing, community spaces and a Healthcare for the Homeless clinic. Simpson’s Community Shelter and Apartments will be located at the site of the current shelter in the Whittier neighborhood in Minneapolis.
The county previously contributed an additional $840,000 in supportive housing funds for this project. The City of Minneapolis has committed $1.3 million. Simpson has secured an additional $3.5 million in private gifts and pledges.
Hennepin County will continue to update hennepin.us with information about how we are allocating ARP funding.
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Minneapolis City Council approves right to counsel ordinance for low-income renters facing eviction
The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a right to counsel ordinance that ensures legal support for low-income tenants facing eviction, a policy that will help disrupt the eviction cycles that push tenants into unsafe housing or out of housing altogether. Learn more.
County board approves $2.2 million to support people at risk of eviction
The board approved up to $2.2 million in federal ARP funds to help people at risk of eviction navigate housing court and get legal and financial help.
Some of Hennepin County’s most vulnerable renters may face eviction as state and federal eviction protections are phased out over the coming months..
To prepare for the end of eviction protections, Hennepin County is providing free legal representation in housing court and continues to help renters apply for emergency rental assistance.
Hennepin County will continue to update hennepin.us with information about how we are allocating ARP funding.
City of Minneapolis accepting applications for Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program
The City of Minneapolis is now accepting applications for the Minneapolis 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program, which helps property owners obtain property tax reductions for agreeing to keep a portion of rental units affordable for 10 years.
Program benefits:
- 10-year eligibility for 4d property tax rate, which provides a 40% tax rate reduction on qualifying units. The reduction is prorated so if you enroll 50% of the units in the building your reduction would be about 20%, etc.
- Free or low-cost energy assessments and City cost sharing for solar energy installations and energy efficiency improvements.
- A grant to each 4d property, in the amount of $100 per affordable unit, capped at $1,000 per property, as well as payment of document recording fees and first year State of Minnesota Low Income Rental Classification (LIRC) fees.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of Jan. 7, 2022. Property owners are encouraged to apply early.
Learn more about program benefits and eligibility.
Federal Call to Action
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The House Financial Services Committee “Build Back Better” reconciliation package is pivotal in the fight to address economic and racial inequities and significantly reduce homelessness. Now we need to tell elected officials to reach out to House and Senate leadership and explain why this is so important. Here’s how to get involved and TAKE ACTION NOW!
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