Our commitment to protecting those without homes during the COVID-19 pandemic
At Ramsey County, we continue to serve those experiencing homelessness throughout this pandemic and are aligning our resources to protect the health and safety of these members of our community by prioritizing the immediate need while continuing to support and sustain efforts with our partners. Individuals and families are especially vulnerable when experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness has become an increasingly pressing issue at the local, regional, state and national level. Addressing housing stability through our work at Ramsey County is one of our Strategic Priorities and has been an area of ongoing, multi-faceted focus for several years. We have invested millions of dollars in new funding during the past three years to address the increase in homelessness in our community, while simultaneously continuing to advocate for the state and regional resources are needed to address the scope of the housing instability challenge.
View graphs and data on the number of people experiencing homelessness.
Translated materials available about COVID-19
Translated materials about COVID-19 are available in the following languages:
Interactive map available to locate document drop-off sites
Six secure document drop-off sites are available at locations across the county for residents to submit forms and other materials related to all county service types. The boxes can be used for the limited situations in which it is not possible to submit information online or by phone.
A new interactive map is available to help residents quickly locate nearby sites. The map includes a photo of each box location along with site details and a link to get directions via Google Maps.
Find locations on the interactive map.
WIC resources available
WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a supplemental food, nutrition and breastfeeding program that helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health continues to offer WIC services to eligible families with children up to age five.
Call the Ramsey County WIC program at 651-266-1300 (8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday) to find out if you are eligible. Appointments are available in English, Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish.
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Justice collaborative works to protect public safety and health during COVID-19 pandemic
As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in Ramsey County, partners across the justice system began taking immediate action to address public health risks in our detention and correctional facilities to significantly reduce the possibility of virus transmission. We realized early on that an outbreak in our facilities would not only impact staff and the people incarcerated but could quickly make its way into our larger community.
Since mid-March, the population of Ramsey County’s Adult Detention Center (jail) has been reduced by 54%, and the population of the Ramsey County Correctional Facility (workhouse) has been reduced by 55%. We were able to respond quickly to the pandemic, ensuring public safety while protecting public health, and achieve such significant reductions due to a strong tradition of collaboration over the past two decades.
Learn more about the justice system collaboration and response to COVID-19.
Metro Mobility providing free transport for essential health workers to care for patients
The Metropolitan Council is transporting front line healthcare workers to provide a safe and stress-free trip to and from work. Metro Mobility is providing free door-to-door service for any person who works at a healthcare facility, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To participate, essential healthcare workers need to provide their employee identification badge that shows they are employed in a healthcare facility. These trips will follow state guidelines for physical distancing and will only transport as many customers as is safe for the vehicle. Metro Mobility is doing all it can to make sure passengers are protected. Drivers are taking extra time to wipe down interior touch points with disinfectant after each passenger trip and buses pull into the shop for sanitation at least daily.
Schedule a trip and view more information.
Apply now for Saint Paul Bridge Fund
Applications are now open for the City of Saint Paul’s Bridge Fund, which will provide emergency relief for families and small businesses most impacted by COVID-19. Apply by April 19 at 5 p.m. at stpaul.gov/bridge-fund. Grants will be awarded through a random selection process from a list of all eligible applicants who applied April 8 through April 19 by 5 p.m. All eligible applications will have an equal chance of being awarded a grant.
If you have questions about the application or guidelines, or want help applying please call 651-266-6565. Staff are available to help who speak English, Hmong, Spanish, Somali, Oromo and Karen.
Additional resources
The Saint Paul Bridge Fund includes funds provided by The Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and private donors including the Baird, Bush Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Securian Foundation, Minnesota United FC, Minnesota Wild, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
Curbside service available from Ramsey County Library
Curbside pickup of books, CDs, DVDs, games and more is available at the Maplewood, Roseville and Shoreview libraries. Watch the curbside service video for details or view modified service information.
Tamarack Nature Center educational events
Tamarack Nature Center recently launched their first set of virtual programs that can be enjoyed from home. Each week will focus on a new nature topic. Start off by discovering how maple syrup is made in Sap to Syrup, and tune in as more videos are shared through Facebook and YouTube. This week, we’re learning all about frogs!
Virtual visits to Landmark Center
Landmark Center is offering several options for interesting and entertaining virtual experiences and online events. The current schedule includes “Ballet Tuesday,” weekly presentations of past theater productions, and a sampling from the to-be-rescheduled “Urban Expedition: Poland & Hungary.”
View upcoming events at Landmark Center.
Discrimination hotline
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has launched a discrimination hotline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the pandemic. Anyone that experiences or witnesses acts of discrimination can call 833-454-0148 or complete an online form to report incidents.
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State and local resources are available for people whose jobs have been impacted by the outbreak.
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Has your job been impacted by COVID-19?
Free employment services are available to all Ramsey County residents through our Workforce Solutions department and our service partner, CareerForce.
Small business COVID-19 survival webinar
Community & Economic Development partnered with Open to Business and CTV to host a webinar for small business owners.
View the agenda and webinar video.
Business recovery guide
A comprehensive guide to federal, state, local and workforce resources available to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic is available at RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com.
Other stories:
Pioneer Press Op-Ed: Fletcher, Choi, Axtell: History will judge us by how we treated each other during this pandemic.
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