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The rapid expansion of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 has occurred with breathtaking speed. Right now, the Omicron variant is the dominant strain of the virus across the country, and will likely represent the majority of cases in Minnesota very soon. This variant has proven to be far more transmissible than previous strains. With the increase in cases in shelters statewide, we anticipate additional demand for resources to prevent and respond to outbreaks. In the coming days, we expect to significantly expand the range of activities eligible to request financial support from the $10 million in Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds administered by the DHS Office of Economic Opportunity. We are finalizing details on eligible expenses and will provide more information as soon as it is available. You can find more information on current eligible activities on the Heading Home Alliance website.
To prevent COVID-19 cases onsite, we continue to recommend the following mitigation strategies you all are familiar with. These are the tools that we know work.
- Encourage staff and clients/residents to:
- Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection, and the chances of getting seriously ill after being fully vaccinated and boosted are low. If you need options or resources to bring vaccine onsite, or materials to support vaccine education, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us.
- Wear a mask when in shared spaces, even when fully vaccinated. We also recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained. If you allowed staff to remove masks in staff only spaces (e.g., break rooms, meeting rooms), reinstate masking.
- Remain physically distanced.
- As soon as you learn of a case:
- Notify local public health or Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
- Start symptom screening for all staff and clients/residents. Some sites have started symptom screening at program entrances this morning. Staff have also been paying close attention to how guests have been feeling and have pulled people who appear to be unwell aside for a more expansive screening. Tools for symptom screening are available in the MDH COVID-19 Investigation Toolkit for Homeless and Other Congregate Settings.
- Limit the number of people who can be in a communal spaces at the same time and close spaces where social distancing is difficult (dining, television, game rooms, etc.).
- Make sure testing is available for clients and staff to use in response to symptoms or exposures. Expanded testing within the facility may be indicated after even a single case. Our MDH team can help consult on how and when to test.
Join us for the last weekly provider webinar of 2021 tomorrow, December 22, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MDH staff will be joining to give an update on the latest vaccine recommendations and answer any questions you may have.
As we approach the end of another incredibly challenging year with the uncertainty of Omicron and what lies ahead of us, we wanted to express our gratitude for all you have done this past year to keep people experiencing homelessness safe. Together you have responded with urgent and creative solutions to ensure the people you serve are protected. We will continue to work with urgency in our response efforts and in our work to prevent and end homelessness as we head into 2022.
If you have any questions about your registration, email Elizabeth Dressel.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) allocated directly to states, counties, and cities to support the specific needs of each local community. The ARP represent a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to change our collective trajectory on responding to homelessness. Several local communities across Minnesota have dedicated resources to support affordable housing development and supporting people staying in shelters or outside.
- Last week, St. Paul and Ramsey County officials have agreed to spend $74.5 million ($37.5 from St. Paul and $37 million from Ramsey County) of their local ARP funding for new affordable housing development for the lowest income residents that earn at or below 30% area median income (AMI). Learn more about their proposal here.
- In August, Hennepin County allocated $74 million in ARP funding to support short- and long-term pandemic recovery efforts that will increase affordable housing, reduce homelessness, and support renters at risk of eviction. Learn more about the specifics of the funding allocation here. Additionally, in April 2021 they approved $14 million for case management and employment services and in October 2021, they approved $3.5 million for shelter capital for Simpson Housing.
- Minneapolis allocated $28 million in ARP funding to support several initiatives focused on providing housing stability and supporting the city’s homelessness response. Learn more about the specifics of the investments here.
- Washington County allocated $10 million to support a handful of initiatives including the county’s Emergency/Transitional Housing Capital Program to purchase a 50-75 bed hotel to be converted into a 30-bed shelter, funding for additional staff supporting housing outreach team, emergency rental assistance, a community health worker health equity initiative. Learn more about their investments here under the Impacted Communities tab.
- Duluth allocated $19 million in ARP funding for affordable housing. The city has an open request for proposal (RFP) for qualified developers to apply for funding to create 400 new housing units by May 2024. Additionally, they have allocated $600,000 annually to the Human Development Center to increase the number of outreach workers on the street to address chemical and mental health needs of people experiencing homelessness. Learn more here.
- Olmsted County allocated $16 million of ARP funding to support affordable housing infrastructure and programs. The funding will support the Rochester Area Foundation’s five-year investment in affordable housing to create and preserve more than 1,100 units, affordable home ownership opportunities, a community warming center, and the purchase of a building to provide transitional housing. Learn more here.
If you know of other communities using their ARP funds to support the response to homelessness, please email Elizabeth Dressel and we will highlight in a future newsletter add it to the list. Each jurisdiction determines how it allocates funding within the allowable purposes of each funding source. We encourage you to connect with your local elected officials about how they plan to use the allocated ARP funding. You can find a breakdown of ARP funding allocated to Minnesota local jurisdictions here.
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about these opportunities and get engaged in state and local decisions about how these funds are deployed:
- National Alliance to End Homelessness Resource Series: Using COVID-19 Federal Funding to End Homelessness outline core principles and priorities for this funding and includes recorded webinars that explore ways to use the new resources strategically and a funding summary chart of the ARP resources that can support people experiencing homelessness.
- The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Guide to American Rescue Plan Funding describes Federal funding sources that support people experiencing homelessness.
- HUD is hosting a series of webinars to walk through the newly released guidance and process for using the HOME-ARP funds. You can register for the webinars and find the guidance on the HOME-ARPwebsite.
- In case you missed the 37th Annual Homeless Memorial last week, you can watch a recording of the memorial here.
- Applications are being accepted for two open vacancies on the Task Force on Shelter through the Secretary of State’s open appointments site. Apply online for the open seats for a public member who experienced homelessness and resided in a shelter and a city representative from greater Minnesota. You can find out more about the Task Force’s work to date here.
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The Biden administration announced increased availability of COVID-19 testing, deployment of Federal personnel to healthcare sites, and other strategies to respond to the rapid community spread of the Omicron variant. You can watch the President’s address for more information about this announcement.
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Finally, we wanted to remind you that the webinar normally scheduled for Wednesday, December 29 is cancelled. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2022 and hope you can join us for the webinar on January 5, 2022. We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
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