This month, in the Heading Home Hennepin Newsletter:
Elimination of Self-Pay for family shelters in Hennepin County
Effective January 1st, 2022, families experiencing homelessness entering Hennepin County contracted Shelters will no longer be required to contribute towards shelter cost, also known as Self-Pay.
Our goal is to have a system that keeps the need for shelter rare, brief, and non-recurring. By eliminating self-pay, this will put income from employment, public benefits, and other income sources into the hands of the families, which will empower them to use the funds how they see fit. For example, they can use the funds for necessities, such as car payment, cell phones, public storage, car insurance etc.
Shelter processes that will remain:
All Hennepin County families who are without resources to meet their shelter needs are eligible for shelter
Families must:
- Consider Prevention/Diversion programming
- Apply for Public Assistance benefits
- Families will be required to cooperate with program requirements (i.e. staying in contact with housing workers, employment services, etc.)
- Work with HC Shelter Team to develop and follow through on a coordinated action plan for exiting shelter
- Eligible families are assisted with damage deposit and 1st month’s rent through EA funds when housing is secured
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
| Question |
Answer |
| Do families have to contribute towards their move? |
No, families won't be required to contribute towards their move. Emergency Assistance will continue to pay for the move. |
| Is there a change in Hennepin County Shelter All policy? |
No, changes to Hennepin County’s Shelter All policy. |
Contacts
- Tenzin Banari, Shelter Team Supervisor: Tenzin.Banari@hennepin.us, Office: 612-596-1818
- Camarra Winters, Shelter Team Supervisor: Camarra.Winters@hennepin.us; Office: 612-596-7859
- Monique Moore, Program Manager: Monique.Moore@hennepin.us; Office: 612-348-9555
Point in Time count offers critical data on homelessness: You can help
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The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a Federally required count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Each year, communities across the country conduct a PIT count to better understand the depth and breadth of homelessness in their community. This year, the PIT Count will occur on the night of January 26, 2022 and the 7 days following. For information about the 2022 Point in Time Count, visit: www.Hennepin.us/PIT-2022.
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Unsheltered count volunteers
Volunteers are essential to ensure that our community conducts a comprehensive and thorough count. Volunteers will conduct a short survey with people who are experiencing homelessness at community based and non-profit settings.
Volunteers can expect to:
- Sign up and commit to a 2 hour shift at a community-based (typically non-profit) location within Hennepin County. Shifts will be in teams of 2.
- Engage with people experiencing homelessness and conduct a short survey
- Complete mandatory training
- Follow CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit Hennepin County: 2022 Hennepin County Point In Time Count (signupgenius.com)
Contact
endhomelessness@hennepin.us ι www.hennepin.us/PIT-2022 .
Funding opportunity for capital improvements for emergency shelters
Renovation and rehab for emergency shelter facilities
Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are announcing a joint funding opportunity for facility renovations or rehabilitation or positive conversion of existing buildings for use as emergency shelter to preserve emergency homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters that provide safe and healthy facilities for populations experiencing homelessness.
Coordination with the Minnesota Department of Human Services
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has also released a Request for Proposals for shelter capital improvements. The city and county are coordinating closely with DHS. Shelter capital funds administered by the county/city are limited to Hennepin County geography, while the funding administered by DHS is intended for statewide distribution.
Guidance on submitting proposals
Qualified responders that intend to submit proposals to both RFP’s, are encouraged to submit the same financial request in response to both RFPs, utilizing corresponding templates. The intent is to allow providers to come in for as much as they need for both RFPs. The State and County/City will coordinate the funding decisions with the goal of supporting providers in meeting as much of their capital needs as possible.
To learn more or submit a proposal, view the "Reno/Rehab of Emergency Shelter Facilities (ARPA)" on the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.
Application due by January 28, 2022 by 10:00 A.M.
Supplier portal help.
Questions?
Questions can be submitted to: Steven Louie; Steven.Louie@hennepin.us. Copy Allan Henden; Allan.Henden@hennepin.us and Tiffany Glasper; Tiffany.Glasper@minneapolismn.gov
Questions are due January 10, 2022 by 4:00 P.M.
Additional housing and development RFPs
Several related affordable housing and development RFPs that may be of interest are planned for early 2022.
Coordinated Affordable Housing Development
Housing Support (formerly Group Residential Housing)
Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
Supportive Housing Strategy
Transit Oriented Development
Richfield HRA to open Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Lottery January 18 - 28
Richfield HRA is opening its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list lottery. Waiting List Lottery Opens: 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 Waiting List Lottery Closes: 4:00 pm on Friday, January 28th, 2022
All completed applications are placed in a lottery. 600 applications will be selected for the waiting list. 95% of the waiting list placements will be households that live, work or attend school full-time in Richfield.
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Job opportunities:
Touchstone Mental Health: Mental Health Counselor, Housing Case Manager, Hennepin County
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. Share feedback here.
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