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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services. Our newsletter comes out the first Monday of each month.
We are always looking for resident feedback on ways to improve Hennepin County's service offerings. If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to reach out. As an elected official, I answer to you.
 Text reads, "Hennepin County, Minnesta. Business District Initiative." Picture of local artist Lili Lennox's mural on Elision Playhouse building in Crystal.
With the goal of reinvigorating older Crystal business centers, Hennepin County's Business District Initiative recently provided funding for Crystal’s façade improvement program, supporting businesses at three different commercial nodes throughout the city.
As part of the project, local artist Lili Lennox, who has a studio in Crystal, added a bright mural to the Elision Playhouse building (pictured below), a performing arts venue near the intersection of Brunswick and 42nd avenues.
 Text reads, "Hennepin County Minnesota, Safe Spaces." Picture of a woman using the phone in a county bathroom.
Hennepin County Safe Spaces program provides victims of human trafficking and abuse a way to discreetly get help. So far, more than 1,000 employees have been trained on how to respond and provide resources.
There is now a phone in the bathrooms of four county buildings that when picked up, is immediately connected to the Security Operations Center. Stalls also have flyers in multiple languages that ask questions helping people identify if they are a victim of human trafficking or abuse, with pull tabs that can be used to alert county employees.
 Text reads, "Hennepin County, Minnesota. Point in Time (PIT), Count." Picture of outreach worker talking to a person experiencing homelessness living in a tent during this year's Point In Time (PIT) Count.
The Point in Time (PIT) Count is conducted in communities across the country each year to better understand the depth and breadth of homeless. It gives a “snapshot” of homelessness from one year to the next. PIT is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who use it to help make decisions on where to allocate funds.
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2022: Hennepin County counted 2,191 people in shelters and almost 500 living on the streets. In recent years, the county has expanded efforts to ensure that people are counted in the suburbs, an area often overlooked when it comes to homelessness.
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This year: the count took place on January 25, 2023. 100 outreach workers and volunteers participated in the count, which is overseen by the county's Streets 2 Housing Program. The results will be published sometime this spring.
**LEARN MORE about the county's unsheltered services.
2023 Leadership Positions
As a commissioner, I am appointed to various committee positions. These indicate which policy areas I take a more active leadership role in.
 Jeffrey Lunde, Commissioner District 1. County Board. Committees: -Law, Safety and Justice, chair -Intergovernmental Relations (IGR), co-chair -Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), vice-chair.
There are a variety of programs and activities for active older adults in Brooklyn Park. Meet people, explore new skills, and thrive in a fun social environment with others who share your interests!
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 Looking for some winter fun? Three Rivers Park District Recreation Pass Plus offers FREE equipment rentals, discounts on programs and events, and FREE recreation passes for families and individuals who live in Hennepin or Scott County and are experiencing financial difficulty.
Join the project team at in-person and virtual community meetings to hear a project update, learn more about the environmental impacts and benefits of the options studied, and provide your feedback on the recommended route and station locations that are advancing in your community.
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Next District 1 meeting: Monday, February 27th from 5 - 7pm at the Crystal Community Center, Forest Room. See the graphic below for the full meeting schedule.
 In-Person Community Meetings: Brooklyn Park Monday, January 30 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Brooklyn Park Library 8500 W. Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 Crystal Monday, February 27 | 5 – 7 p.m. Crystal Community Center, Forest Room 4800 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55429 Robbinsdale Monday, March 6 | 5 – 7 p.m. Elim Church 3978 West Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, MN 55422.
 Virtual Community Meetings March 29 | 1 – 2 p.m. Join Meeting May 17 | 5 – 6 p.m. Join Meeting You can also find meeting materials and request assistance to participate in events on the project website: www.BlueLineExt.org.
Each year, Hennepin County supports dozens of affordable housing projects through a coordinated request for proposals.
This year, we have $15 million available, and expect to create or preserve 900 units of affordable housing in our communities.
**APPLY HERE through the Supplier Portal by Thursday, February 9th at 3pm CST via the 2023 Affordable Housing Programs.
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 Community-Led Wellbeing & Trauma-Informed Projects
Hennepin County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative is excited to announce a new RFP to help address youth gun violence prevention and mental health. It is in partnership with Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) and Public Health Promotion (PHP):
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Amount: up to $40,000
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Eligibility: community or school-based organizations that prioritize BIPOC people in cultural, spiritual, faith-based and/or geographic communities within the county.
**APPLY HERE through the Supplier Portal by Thursday, February 16th at 2pm CST.
School Recycling Grants
Hennepin County has grants for K-12 schools to start or improve programs to reduce waste and keep recycling and organic materials out of the trash. Funding can be used for staff time and to purchase equipment and supplies.
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Eligibility: grants up to $25,000 for schools with at least 50% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch OR grants up to $15,000 for all schools within the county
**APPLY BY Wednesday, March 15th.
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Business Recycling Grants
Hennepin County grants are available to fund innovative projects that prevent waste in the business sector.
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Amount: between $5,000 - $50,000. Grants over $10,000 require a 25% match.
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Timeline: apps accepted on an ongoing basis until Mon, Nov. 13, 2023
**LEARN MORE
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Contact us
Jeffrey Lunde
Commissioner, 1st District
612-414-3302
Vicky Soukaseum
Policy Aide
612-414-4747
Anna Schmiel
Policy and Communications Aide
612-348-5202
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