 Dear Neighbors,
This week, the Board approved more than $7.25 million in funding to expand deeply affordable housing and clean-up contaminated land through the 2025 Housing Development Solicitation and Environmental Response Fund (ERF).
Key Highlights:
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$6.89 million in Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Levy and State Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) will support 12 housing projects across Ramsey County.
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Create or preserve approximately 430 housing units, including 50 units restricted at 30% AMI, ensuring long-term affordability for low-income residents.
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All housing projects are required to remain affordable for at least 30 years.
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HRA funding sources include $4.5M from the 2025 HRA Levy, $1.6M in reallocated HRA funds, and $739K in SAHA funds (2024 and 2025).
Congratulations to the award recipients! They are recipients of these funds at a time when federal support for housing is shrinking. That means the responsibility to act falls even more heavily on local governments, housing advocates, and affordable housing developers. Together, we’re doing everything we can to make sure people can stay in the communities they call home.
As HRA Chair, I’d like to thank our Community & Economic Development team for their leadership in supporting affordable housing, small businesses, and neighborhood vitality across Ramsey County. View the HRA Agenda here.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
Whether you prefer to connect face-to-face or from the comfort of your home, we’re here to meet you where you are. If our scheduled times don’t work for you, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to find a time that does.
There will be no office hours on July 3 and 4.
Sign-up here!
 Yesterday, I had the joy of speaking with a group of local Boy Scouts about what Ramsey County does and how local government impacts their daily lives. We discussed the civic duty that we as citizens have the responsibility to partake in.
As a mom of two young kids, these conversations are close to my heart because I know how important it is to raise a generation that’s informed, engaged, and empowered to lead.
Whether it’s parks, libraries, public safety, or health services, our county plays a vital role in shaping the future our young people will inherit. It was an honor to share that with them and plant a few seeds of civic curiosity and leadership! Thanks to Saint Paul's Hayden Heights Library for providing the space for us to learn.
 Here's the latest update provided by the Saint Paul Port Authority:
- Larpenteur Avenue E will be closed between Beebe Road and McKnight Road starting the week of July 7th and continuing through early August, weather dependent.
- Traffic on Larpenteur Avenue will utilize the signed detour on White Bear Avenue, N St. Paul Road, and McKnight Rd N, outlined in the map below.
- For properties on Larpenteur Avenue and Winthrop Street N within the closure area: Local access will be maintained when possible. Access may be impacted during underground utility work, but crews will open access to local properties by the end of each workday.
Construction Updates at The Height - Saint Paul Port Authority
The Saint Paul Children's Collaborative plans to award approximately $2 million to community organizations targeting services to young people experiencing gaps in opportunities and outcomes included in our Youth Outcomes Plan.
The average grant amount in previous years was approximately $115,000 total over a two-year grant period, but SPCC does not have a minimum or maximum grant amount. Grant funds may only be used to support direct services to young people and families living in Saint Paul.
Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Our Work: Grant-Making - Saint Paul Children's Collaborative
The Open Road Fund was created to serve Black descendants of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, especially formerly incarcerated folks, single parents, senior citizens, those living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ folks.
Through 2031, Nexus will award $50,000 gifts that can be used for wealth projects, including housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice. We want to be clear—these gifts are not reparations but an opportunity to redistribute resources to our communities to build Black wealth.
There are no income caps or minimums, folks can apply individually or in partnership with other members of the community, and applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply:
- Ages 14 and up
- A resident of Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota
- A descendant of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, including the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America.
2025 applications are open Juneteenth through July 21 at 11:59 pm CT.
Open Road Fund - Nexus Community Partners
July 15 SoilSHOP - What's in my soil?
 Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is hosting a free SoilSHOP event at the East Side YMCA on July 15 from 3PM to 7PM (see flyers attached). Amidst the urgent concerns of lead and other metals from pollution impacting the East Side, this is an opportunity for residents to learn more about what’s in their soil. May you please share this event with your network?
Public Health has already begun sending out the mailer to residents within 1 mile of Northern Iron and will be putting up door hangers to residents within a ½ mile of Northern Iron.
Soil screening event | Ramsey County
See below for additional efforts that Ramsey County is leading:
SoilSHOP & Healthy Homes Expo – July 15, 2025 – East Side YMCA
- Educational/Resource tables
- ESNDC
- MN Tool Library
- Urban Agriculture/Raised Bed Garden Workshop teams
- Ramsey County Fix-it-Clinics
- Ramsey County Healthy Homes Program
- Minnesota Department of Health
Raised Bed Garden Workshops – September 27, 2025 – Urban Roots
- Tabling at the 7/15/25 soilSHOP
Air Filter Building Workshops – date and location TBD
- Goal: Build and distribute 400 high-quality, low-cost indoor air filters based on the Corsi-Rosenthal model
- Assist approximately 400 families who are vulnerable to the health impacts of poor air quality
HEPA Vacuum Rental Program
- Residents interested in renting a HEPA vacuum for interior house cleaning can request a guest pass to the MN Tool Library from Public Health, which they can redeem for a one-week rental of up to 5 tools, including a HEPA vacuum
Accessing Arcade Street during Construction
Yes, Arcade Street is currently under construction, but businesses remain open and accessible!
We recognize that road work can make travel more difficult, and we appreciate your patience and continued support. Local businesses and services are still here for you, and your efforts to visit and support them during this time mean a great deal.
Here’s how you can stay connected and plan your visit:
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Call the location for assistance or personalized directions
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Check current road closures at 511mn.org
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Sign up for project updates at MnDOT’s webpage: mndot.gov/metro/projects/e7th-arcade
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Use nearby side streets for parking and access in closure areas
Thank you for showing up for our local businesses and neighbors. Your commitment helps keep our community strong through every phase of improvement. |
