Dear Neighbors,
I want to share an important update from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) about the current federal government shutdown and how it affects families in Ramsey County, especially our most vulnerable residents.
Because of the federal government shutdown, two key programs will face disruption:
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For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), November food benefits will not be issued until the federal government either ends the shutdown or issues further guidance. October benefits are unaffected.
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Within the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), the cash portion will be issued as normal, but the food assistance portion scheduled for November is also delayed until the shutdown ends.
This delay will devastate over 440,000 Minnesotans and more than 42 million people across the country. In Ramsey County alone, there are over 34,000 active SNAP cases providing benefits to an estimated 85,000 people, including children, seniors, people living with disabilities, and caretakers.
Here's what you can do right now:
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If you receive SNAP or MFIP, keep using your current benefits as usual and keep your contact information up-to-date with the County.
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If you’re not receiving benefits but believe you qualify for SNAP, you may still apply. While issuance of new benefits may be delayed, processing your case now helps you be ready.
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Explore local food shelves and meal programs if you or someone you know is facing hunger. Note that extra demand is expected right now.
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If you are in a position to give, consider donating to a food shelf, meal program, or family-support organization. Every act of generosity strengthens our community’s resilience as families brace for period of uncertainty.
Additionally, a coalition of Minnesota DFL legislators sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stating that the "USDA has at least $5 billion in contingency funds that the Administration can, and should release to provide even partial benefits to eligible households for November." Read the statement here.
It is unacceptable that families who rely on essential nutrition programs like SNAP are being held hostage by political gridlock. No child should go hungry because of a federal shutdown or administrative inaction, especially when funds exist to protect these programs. I strongly urge you to join me in a call to action to write, call, and email your congressional members and President Trump to demand that this Administration release contingency funds and nutrition funds to protect SNAP immediately.
If you are in need of food, please visit Ramsey County's Food Resources page. You may also use this PDF to identify your neighborhood and find a list of nearby food sources.
We will continue to keep the county's website updated as more information becomes available and strongly encourage individuals to visit the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families website for the latest updates regarding SNAP and MFIP program impacts.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
This week, I chaired the All Hands on Deck Update & Metro Square Tour workshop where staff provided an update of the 90-day AHOD sprint to address public assistance services.
In just 90 days, our AHOD pilot has made a real difference for residents: Nearly 4,000 calls seeking financial assistance services were returned during the pilot. 79% of calls were returned within one day, boosting resident confidence. 62% of calls were resolved on the first contact and over 5,700 calls answered with a 99.6% answer rate.
This initiative not only improved responsiveness but also freed up staff time to focus on case management and long-term solutions. Thank you to our dedicated team for showing what’s possible when we work together and thank you to the community organizations that were present to receive the updates.
 I had the honor of welcoming a delegation from Changsha, China, as part of the Saint Paul–Changsha Sister City partnership, to District 6.
The visit included a tour of Phalen Regional Park, home to the Liu Ming Yuan, which is a sister park to Changsha’s Yanghu Wetland Park. I joined local leaders, including members of the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society (MCFGS) and the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate our shared cultural and environmental connections.
The delegation also visited Saint Paul City Hall and Como Park, exchanging gifts, sharing presentations, and reaffirming the long-standing friendship between our two cities.
These global relationships remind us that community extends beyond borders and are rooted in understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Changsha delegation, the City of Saint Paul, the MCFGS, and all partners who continue to nurture this meaningful sister-city bond.
This week, the Ramsey County Board honored Mao Heu Thao's retirement from a long career within public health that has spanned decades and across Minnesota to Southeast Asia. In 1982, she was the first Hmong refugee to return to the Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand to dispel misinformation about Western health practices and encourage resettlement to the United States.
She was instrumental to the research of SIDS at Phanat Nikom refugee camp and in the migration of the Hmong from Wat Tham Krabok refugee camp to Minnesota. For the last 39 years, she has served as a Public Health Nurse for Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable in our communities have equitable access to culturally responsive care.
Read the full proclamation here.
 This week, the East Side Health and Well-being Collaborative and the East Side Funders Group Learning Community hosted their first of several conversations with local East Side organizations. This convening brought togethers leaders, policymakers, and grassroots organizers to understand changing policies and conditions that are impacting East Siders.
We discussed federal and state impacts to Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, and MFIP, and shared concerns and solutions to address ICE operations targeting immigrant families. Together, we must stand in solidarity to protect our neighbors and resist policies tearing our communities apart.
Winthrop Street N will be closed between Hoyt Avenue E and Arlington Avenue E starting the week of September 2 and continuing through late fall, weather dependent.
For properties on 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. (See map below.)
Work Anticipated the Week of October 20
- Roadway crews will begin building the roadway along Winthrop Avenue from Arlington Avenue to Hoyt Avenue.
- Utility crews will continue sanitary sewer on Iowa Avenue between Howard Street and Winthrop Street and storm sewer along Nebraska Avenue between Winthrop Street and Howard Street.
- The electrical contractor will continue work on lighting infrastructure.
 Absentee voting is now open ahead of the Nov. 4 General and Special Elections. Vote by mail or in person at the Plato Building (90 Plato. Blvd. West)
Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Solicitation Now Open
 Ramsey County will begin accepting applications for the 2025 Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) Solicitation on Sept. 8, 2025, for the acquisition, rehabilitation and the construction of affordable housing units. This exclusive solicitation is for developers with less than 25 units of housing and/or 15,000 sq. ft of commercial space.
Responses are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 31, 2025.
Applications must be submitted via Neighborly and have all required components to be eligible for review. All proposed housing developments must include units at/or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and the overall average of rental limits must be at or below 80%. Technical assistance will be offered through NEOO Partners LLC starting Sept. 8, 2025.
SECO Spooktacular Event
 Get ready for a spooktacular day for the whole family! Come to SunRay Shopping Center, Eastside St. Paul’s favorite mall, for safe trick-or-treating, exciting activities, fun contests, and plenty of smiles. Create sweet memories while celebrating community spirit together!
Environmental Response Fund
 Redevelopment in Ramsey County often means addressing legacy environmental issues or “brownfields." An Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grant program provides resources to offset the cost of environmental assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites.
Who can apply?
Local governmental organizations, developers, for-profit and not‐for‐profit organizations are eligible for ERF grants. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.
How to apply: Applicants who are requesting funds for building demolition/deconstruction must submit a detailed waste management plan (PDF). Applicants must also provide a letter or resolution of support from the relevant local unit of government.
Before applying, please contact Community & Economic Development to discuss your project and application requirements.
Energy and Electrification Resource Fair
 The Ramsey County Climate & Health Team is hosting an event centered around energy and electrification resource for residents! This event will feature information and demonstrations from local organizations, connect residents with resources that address energy burden and showcase technology in the electrification area.
If you have questions, please reply to this email or send a message to Gregory Goodwine (gregory.goodwine@ramseycounty.us)
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Event Name: Energy and Electrification Resource Fair
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Date: November 3rd, 2025
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Time: 4pm-7pm
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Audience: Residents
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Location: Ramsey County Environmental Center, 1700 Kent St., Roseville, MN 55113
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Parking: Available on site, encourage transit
Minnesota Humanities Center Grant Opportunities
The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), by virtue of funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature, is accepting applications for the following grant opportunity:
- $6,299,000 in Cultural Heritage grants to individuals and organizations to support work to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of the many diverse cultural groups that make up Minnesota, including but not limited to Indigenous organizations, communities whose culture and heritage have been historically underrepresented, recent immigrant communities, and veterans.
Applicants may request up to $300,000. Funding is available through December 31, 2026. The application deadline is December 8, 2025.
Please visit MHC’s website for more information or learn how to sign up for an upcoming informational session regarding this grant opportunity.
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.
Earl Street Reconstruction
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Earl Street between Maryland Avenue and Burns Avenue in 2026 and 2027. Phase 1 - Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue will be constructed in 2026 and Phase 2 - Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue will be constructed in 2027.
This is a full reconstruction, meaning it will completely rebuild the road. It will include work on water and sewer, land grading, adding curbs and gutters, improving drainage, paving the street, installing signs and lights, landscaping, and improving the sidewalks and bikeway connections.
Learn more here.
Saint Paul PHA Waitlists Now Open
The St. Paul Public Housing Agency (St. Paul PHA) is now accepting online applications for Multifamily Housing apartments with 0-5 bedrooms and for scattered site homes and duplexes with 5-bedrooms beginning on July 21, 2025 and continuing until further notice.
The Public Housing Program provides homes with reduced rent (based on income) to households with low incomes.
Learn more here. |
