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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.
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
State of the County Address
You are invited to the 2024 State of the County Address. It will take place on Friday, April 5th at 10AM at the 625 Building Auditorium (625 South 4th Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55415, 625 Building map). Light refreshments provided with program to follow. Free parking will be available at the Hennepin County Government Center. RSVP to attend in person at the 625 Building.
The event will also be livestreamed with in-person viewing opportunities across the county. Find additional viewing locations.
Keep up to date of 2024 construction across the county
We’re about to enter road construction season. And, just like every season, this year's includes a number of projects on county roads.
You will be seeing crews on site across the county working to improve accessibility, provide better safety for people using all modes of transportation, updating infrastructure and making sure our roads and bridges can continue to keep people connected to the places where they live, work, play, learn, shop and take care of themselves.
Check out what’s happening across the county or zoom into your district to see what’s happening closer to you. To learn more about each project, just click on the line or dot on the map.
Hennepin County 2024 transportation activities (arcgis.com)
Successful first year for Apartment Recycling Champions program
Hennepin County launched the pilot Apartment Recycling Champion program in 2023. Through the program, 17 residents at multifamily properties were paid for six months to distribute education materials, monitor trash and recycling areas for contamination, respond to resident questions on recycling, set up recycling bins in their building’s common areas, and educate and inspire their neighbors to reduce waste and recycle more. Champions reached people in about 1,500 units at 15 multifamily properties in environmental justice areas throughout the county.
Champions served as a trusted resource, communicating with their neighbors in culturally relevant ways. "I learned to communicate with people, no matter the language barriers," shared one champion in Minneapolis. "I learned to utilize my skills to make projects happen. And I learned to not judge a book by its cover, because the immigrants in my building were very receptive to recycling."
Overall, champions were proud of the work they completed and saw the impact in their building. "This program really opened my eyes to the need of recycling within my community. I love being educated, and this program was packed with knowledge of how I can make a difference in my community," shared another champion.
Continuing the Apartment Recycling Champions program in 2024 is a priority for implementing the county’s Zero Waste Plan goal of improving access to and participation in recycling and organics recycling at multifamily buildings. Champions are recruited from apartment buildings and multifamily housing where recycling participation tends to be low, and contamination of recyclables tends to be high. A new cohort of champions will begin work later this year as a trusted resource in their community to motivate their neighbors to reduce waste and recycle more.
Multifamily recycling grants open for 2024
In addition to the Apartment Recycling Champion program, Hennepin County also offers grants for multifamily properties to reduce waste and improve recycling. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until November 11, or until the annual program budget is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
Areas of focus can include purchasing bins and compostable bags, paying for hauling costs, constructing waste enclosures or chutes, managing or preventing the waste of bulky items, and educating residents. Applicants may apply for up to $3,000 for bins and compostable bags and up to $20,000 for all other categories combined.
Review the grant guidelines (PDF) and the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more. Visit the apartment recycling webpage to begin the application process.
Hennepin County's downpayment assistance program begins!
Homebuyers can now qualify for assistance to make a down payment on their first home in Hennepin County.
In collaboration with Hennepin County, NeighborWorks Home Partners launched a down payment assistance program for residents buying homes in Hennepin County. This program started on March 4, and is estimated to be available through 2025.
The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) created and designed the Homebuyer Assistance Program to reduce racial disparities in homeownership. As the program administrator, NeighborWorks Home Partners will provide down payment financing of up to $30,000 to assist buyers interested in purchasing a home to have as their principal place of residence in Hennepin County.
The HCHRA is funding the downpayment assistance program through its first designated fund for homeownership assistance. Find more information at the Homeownership Assistance Program page.
To learn more about the program, find eligibility requirements, or apply visit NeighborWorks.
Contact us
Irene Fernando
Commissioner, 2nd District
612-348-7882
Akhilesh Menawat
Communications and Policy Aide
612-348-5335
Bill Emory
Constituent Services and Policy Aide
612-348-3526
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