Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are rolling out the Walz-Flanagan Budget to Move Minnesota Forward, the supplemental budget recommendation for the upcoming legislative session. Last week we shared their announcement of the 2022 Local Jobs and Projects Plan, which includes a historic investment of $450 million in safe and affordable housing projects. If passed by the legislature, this funding would contribute significantly to helping every Minnesotan get access to a safe and affordable place to call home.
Join the weekly provider webinar tomorrow from 1:00-2:00 p.m. to learn more about additional investments the Governor and Lt. Governor are proposing that will maximize the impact of the capital proposals and stretch every dollar to achieve the greatest impact for Minnesotans possible.
If you have any questions about your registration, please email Elizabeth Dressel.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with outbreaks across the state impacting people experiencing homelessness and staff who serve them. For shelters managing through active outbreaks, we know that additional staffing remains a critical need. To support temporary staffing needs, we are excited to announce the launch of the Minnesota Shelter Emergency Staffing Pool, a short-term initiative designed in response to the acute COVID-19 related staffing challenges at shelters and other temporary congregate settings for people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. This emergency staffing pool is a partnership between ServeMinnesota and Worldwide Travel Staffing to help shelters weather COVID-related staffing crises by deploying individuals on a shift-by-shift basis where needs are greatest. It will operate over the next two months or so, as needs dictate.
Eligible facilities are temporary, congregate settings that require people to be experiencing homelessness to access the program and is experiencing staffing impacts from a COVID-19 outbreak. This can include homeless shelters, shelters for domestic violence survivors, and board and lodge settings. Both nonprofit and for-profit entities that serve people experiencing homelessness are eligible to apply. This resource is focused specifically on COVID-19 related staff shortages, and is not intended to supplement normal shelter operations. Staff will be deployed in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health Congregate Living Settings Response Team.
Please tune in during tomorrow’s webinar to learn more about this new resource. You can fill out the application for emergency staffing support online. If you have questions about the application or process, please send an email to Naomi Zuk-Fisher, ServeMN consultant and Minnesota Shelter Emergency Staffing Pool lead.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Response for Corrections and Homelessness Section hosted a webinar on Quarantine and Isolation in Correctional Facilities and Homeless Service Sites. The CDC reviewed the updated quarantine and isolation recommendations for these settings and three communities shared how they have adapted their quarantine and isolation approaches during the current surge of COVID-19. In case you missed that webinar, they will be replaying a recording of the webinar on Thursday, January 27 from 1:00-2:15 p.m. CT. At that time, you can join the Zoom replay here. Additionally, you can review the slides they shared here.
The RentHelpMN emergency rental assistance program has announced a submission deadline for new applications and re-applications. The deadline for renters to submit an application for the statewide RentHelpMN is Friday, January 28, 2022 at 9 p.m. The deadline will not impact existing submitted applications, which will continue to be processed, subject to funding availability.
Please note that applications that have been started but not submitted by January 28 will be considered withdrawn. They will not be processed and an incomplete application will not provide protection from eviction.
We realize this may affect households that continue to struggle to cover their rent and other housing costs. The need for help is greater than the funds available.
If you owe past-due rent, you may still apply for overdue rent, utilities, and up to one month of forward rent, but you must submit your application by the Friday, January 28, 9:00 p.m. deadline. Visit RentHelpMN.org to begin or continue with an application.
If you need assistance, please log in to your portal or call the helpline at 211 or 1.800.543.7709. Please be aware that wait times for help through 211 will be longer than usual due to high demand. If you have already submitted a RentHelpMN application, it will continue to be processed and you do not need to call 211 unless you have an immediate question. You can log in to your account to check on the application status.
- In the last Legislative session, the certified birth record for homeless youth bill and identification card for homeless youth bill were passed to provide no cost birth certificates and State ID’s for youth experiencing homelessness. Minnesota Department of Health-Vital Records Office is administering the no cost birth certificates. Learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process and required documents on the Minnesota Department of Health website, The Minnesota Department of Public Safety- Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) is administering the no cost State ID’s for youth experiencing homelessness. To learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process and required documents please view the DVS training video.
-
The Shelter Outbreak Response Fund (FRF-Shelter) from the DHS Office of Economic Opportunity continue to be available to support rapid responses to outbreaks in shelters and other temporary congregate settings for people experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. The survey to request funding can be found on the Heading Home Alliance website. Answers to frequently asked questions and additional information can be found on the funding page.
-
The next webinar Speakers Bureau will be on Wednesday, February 2 at 1:00 p.m. Help us spread the word about this opportunity. Details can be found on this flyer. Anyone interested in speaking can email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us or call Elizabeth at 651-248-5548. The February prep session will be Tuesday, February 1 from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Follow this link to join the optional prep session.
|
