Update from Ward 5: Resources, Safety, and Rental Assistance Vote 

City of Minneapolis sent this bulletin at 02/06/2026 05:40 PM CST

News from Council Member Pearll Warren

Happy Black History Month Ward 5 Neighbors,

Thank you for staying engaged and looking out for one another. January was a heavy month in our city marked by grief, fear, and uncertainty for too many families. I also saw something important: neighbors showing up for each other, mutual aid groups moving quickly, school and nonprofit staff supporting young people, and residents demanding solutions with clarity and urgency.

Below is a consolidated update on:

(1) Recent City activity and safety information

(2) Where I stand and what I’ve been doing

(3) Key actions from the most recent City Council meeting, especially rental assistance

(4) A one-stop list of resources for housing, food, immigrant services, and mental health

City updates and safety information regarding I.C.E. & federal activity:

The City has published an ongoing public update page with resources related to increased federal activity, including practical guidance and connections to community-based legal support. Residents can reference that page for current, official City information and updates:

If you want to watch City Council meetings or committee meetings live (or later), the City posts them through City Council TV, and meeting records/agendas are also published through LIMS:

Council Member Warren’s engagement in the past two weeks:

Over the past two weeks, my office has convened emergency community conversations to hear directly from residents and partners about what’s happening in our neighborhoods and what support families need right now. This includes an emergency meeting/town hall with federal and state partners, including Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, alongside local leaders and community organizations.

If you attended, thank you. If you missed them: we are planning additional structured check-ins, and we will continue to share dates as they are confirmed.

Black History Month Reception and Council Resolution Breakfast:

I know that this has been a very rough start to the new year, but we have made it. This week it was an honor to be alongside Council Member Vetaw to recognize and honor a host of Northside community members who have been doing the work in representation of Black Legacy and Heritage. I believe that we are all valuable and contribute greatly to the collective efficacy of the community.                       

NOrthside

 

MBEN

 

City Council update: $1,000,000 for rental assistance - what happened + why:

Many Ward 5 residents asked for immediate rental assistance, and I agree the need is urgent.

Here’s the clearest way to understand what happened in the City Council’s recent action on rental assistance funding:

  • Committee action: I voted YES at the Committee of Whole to support moving forward a proposal to provide $1,000,000 for rental assistance.
  • Full Council vote (funding-source concern): At the full Council meeting, I voted NO on the version funded from the City’s contingency fund due to concerns about the implications of drawing down those dollars now.
  • Alternative funding source: I supported funding the $1,000,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, but that approach did not pass.
  • Final action (passed): A third and final version did pass the Council and is now on the Mayor’s desk for approval or veto, with funding coming from the City’s cash account.

Where to verify the final vote details and track the Council and Mayor’s actions:

The Ward 5 Office has been receiving several calls about the decision that I made about not supporting the $1 Million Dollar rental assistance to Hennepin County with the funding source coming from the City's contingency fund. I want to highlight for everyone the reason why I did not support so that you can understand why I stand where I stand on this.

  1. To apply for Emergency Assistance, you must have a means (way) to pay your rent going forward after the emergency is covered. If people don’t have qualified earned income or a job due to being in fear of going to work or leaving the home, they will not be approved for the assistance.
  2. Hennepin County has a $10 million dollar budget and have only used roughly 10% of their current funding for rental assistance. It is worth noting that they did not come to the City Council and ask for more money.
  3. Any time a nonprofit organization gives out any funding for a program, there must be information provided that tells the funders who received the funding, why they received it, for what means, and how much was provided -- which puts our vulnerable residents right back at-risk of being tracked and targeted, and ultimately denied funding when they do not qualify due to the reasons stated above.

These are the reasons why I did not vote to support the funding coming from the City's Contingency fund because they are not TARGETED FUNDS.  That is what we need in this situation. We have to have an external program and funding source(s) that will do that.

With that said, I was proud to support the resolution and provide aide in the amount of $1 Million Dollars for Immigration Legal Services. For those who need assistance, you reach out to https://mylegalaid.org/ and work with community workers to help advocate for the support needed.

Next steps - What residents can do now:

1) If you need help paying rent right now, use the resources below.

2) If you want to weigh in before the Mayor acts, reference LIMS file 2026-00095 when contacting the Mayor’s office and submitting comments.

3) My office will continue pushing for rental stabilization and eviction prevention strategies that are fast, legally durable, and fiscally responsible—because families cannot wait.

4) Resource hub (Ward 5 + Minneapolis + Hennepin County)

 

Rental Assistance flyerRental Assistance

KYR

Housing, renters’ rights, rental assistance, eviction prevention:

Food assistance:

Apply for SNAP and other benefits:https://mnbenefits.mn.gov/ SNAP info: https://dcyf.mn.gov/snap

  • Minnesota Food HelpLine: 888-711-1151

https://mn.gov/dhs/mnfoodhelper/

Immigrant services / legal support / rights education:

Mental health and crisis support:

Immediate crisis support:

Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA)

Urban League Twin Cities offers Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) forms and on-site notary services (FREE) to support families in planning for their children’s care during emergencies or unexpected separations. These services are provided to help families feel prepared, protected, and empowered, with dignity and confidentiality at the center of our work.

A Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) is a voluntary, notarized agreement that allows a parent to designate another trusted adult to make certain decisions for a child (e.g., healthcare, school decisions) if the parent is unavailable. It does not transfer custody and is temporary (up to 1 year, renewable) under Minnesota Statute § 524.5-211.

Call for your appointment today at 612.302.3100 or 312-302-3156

NOTICE OF AN UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority has applied for the following variances for the creation of an off-street parking area for the property located at 1100 Irving Ave N:

  • To reduce the required corner side yard.
  • To reduce the minimum separation from a dwelling for a parking area.
  • To vary the location standards for an off-street parking area.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will meet on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., in Room 350, Public Service Center, 250 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN. Interested parties are invited to attend and be heard. Planning Department staff will issue a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. After hearing from the public, the Zoning Board of Adjustment will make a determination based on required legal findings of fact. Please visit https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/IndependentBodies/Meetings/zba for the agenda with staff reports (web page is typically updated a few days prior to the meeting date).

In accordance with the Zoning Code, all property owners within 350 feet of the subject property are notified of this public hearing.  Your comments may be made verbally at the meeting, or submitted in writing, to:

Myles Campbell, City Planner 

505 S 4th Ave #320 

Minneapolis, MN 55415 

Phone: (612) 673-2247 

E-mail:  Myles.Campbell@minneapolismn.gov 

For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact 612-673-2216. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850.

Para asistencia, llame al 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.

Metro Transit 

The City is working with Metro Transit to bring improvements to the Route 14 bus route through its "Better Bus Routes" program. The proposed changes to this route that services our ward include: 

  • Routing adjustments and stop consolidation to improve speed and reliability 
  • Improved frequency, including every 15 minutes midday and rush hours on weekdays 
  • Additions of bus shelters and concrete pads for accessibility 

Metro Transit has kicked-off its community outreach efforts which include posting notices at affected bus stops and collecting feedback through two online tools: 

Map of proposed changes (users can add comments directly to the map): Route 14 Changes

What I need from you so the City can respond smarter and faster:

If you are comfortable, reply to this newsletter or contact our office with:

Any non-confidential trends you’re seeing (no names needed) related to displacement risk, school impacts, or safety concerns. The top 1–2 barriers preventing your household or neighbors from accessing help (language access, documentation, transportation, fear, internet access, etc.). Please continue to look out for one another, tap into the community for sustainable resources and don't hesitate to reach out and ask for help.

 

In solidarity and with accountability,

Pearll Warren Council Member, Ward 5 City of Minneapolis

ward5@minneapolismn.gov | 612-673-2205