In this edition:
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U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness visit focuses on Native homelessness
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No MICH webinar in September – but connect with us at the MCH Conference!
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Learn how communities are using Statewide and Local Affordable Housing Aid
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St. Paul organizations sought to host new zAmya theater production
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Crossroads to Justice: Connecting People to Resources
Minnesota and the 11 Tribal Nations who share the same geography bear ongoing injuries as a result of structural racism, genocide and economic inequities, which continue to define housing instability and homelessness today. A Native person in Minnesota is 13 times more likely to experience homelessness compared to the overall population of the state – and 32 times more likely than a white Minnesotan. We must share in candid conversations and a bold vision to address these inequities and move toward a just, equitable future.
In early August, the executive director and staff from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness were here for four days with Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness staff, listening to and learning from Native leaders across the state how to do better at reducing Native homelessness.
Thank you to the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors group, Chief Executive Wind and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Chairman Jackson and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, District Representatives of the Red Lake Nation, and representatives of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative for sharing in this dialogue and calling all of us to account.
We will not be hosting the monthly MICH webinar or Speakers Bureau on September 4 (but look ahead and get the October 2 webinar held on your calendar!).
Instead, we hope to see many of you at the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH) Conference in Duluth on September 16 and 17. Implementation Consultants and staff with MICH will be hosting a workshop, “Crossroads to Justice Together: Implementing the State’s Bold Plan for Housing, Racial, and Health Justice for People Facing Homelessness,” that we hope you’ll attend!
Minnesota Housing is hosting two webinars on Statewide and Local Affordable Housing Aid. Panelists from across the state will share their experience supporting everything from emergency rental assistance to new housing developments.
Whether you're a Housing Aid recipient or want to learn more, join the conversation!
Emergency Rental Assistance and Housing Stability
Wednesday, August 21, at 3 p.m.
Learn how the City of Edina, Dakota County and Hennepin County are using Affordable Housing Aid to support Emergency Rental Assistance.
Click this link to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2437734268066881625
Housing Development and Housing Preservation
Thursday, August 22, at 10 a.m.
Hear from the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Hennepin County, Morrison County Habitat for Humanity and Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity on how they use Affordable Housing Aid to support new housing development and property preservation programs.
Click this link to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/770080792963255386
Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) is aid to metropolitan local governments of seven counties and 63 cities. LAHA is funded through a new dedicated sales tax in the seven-county metropolitan area.
Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) is funded by state funds appropriated to the Department of Revenue. All Minnesota counties, Tribal Nations and 37 cities will be eligible to receive this aid.
For more information, including reporting requirements and eligible uses, visit Local Government Housing Programs.
zAmya Theater Project is seeking organizations in St. Paul to host their current touring production, “A Challenge to Change.” This workshop-style performance is designed to inspire conversations, challenge biases and change perceptions towards people experiencing homelessness in downtown St. Paul.
Created by an ensemble of performers, many of whom have or are currently experiencing homelessness, “A Challenge to Change” features a collaboration of stories, poems, music and skits. Following the performance, performers and audience members are able to participate in a dialogue about the importance of this issue.
zAmya Theater Project creates original plays and workshops with people experiencing homelessness in an effort to raise awareness about housing inequity. zAmya has 18 years of experience using creativity and theater to build community and momentum towards positive solutions.
Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.
The plan identifies five bold results that will drive significant movement towards housing, racial and health justice. The third result focuses on connecting people to resources:
A robust crisis response, geared toward housing outcomes, supports people who are unsheltered, in emergency shelters, and in community.
Strategy 1: Invest in and support additional outreach responses that reach people wherever they are and help make connections to housing providers.
Strategy 2: Increase safe indoor crisis options statewide that are low barrier, harm reduction, and culturally responsive to meet people’s needs.
Strategy 3: Support a consistent and systemic approach across jurisdictions to improve outcomes for people sleeping in encampments.
 Staff from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness visit a shelter for youth facing homelessness in the Red Lake Nation.
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