Holiday Greetings from Ward 7
As we approach the end of 2020 – which most of us are ready to leave behind – we wanted to send an end of year message and thank our community for all of the great work we've done together to support each other during this tumultuous year.
From the huge efforts you joined to distribute food and necessities, to your donations of time and treasure, to the small acts of kindness you perform every day, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity we have witnessed in Ward 7 this year.
Last week, the City Council adopted our 2021 budget, and in response to your messages, we did not raise the property tax levy. In the process, we were able to restore parks and library hours, which are so important to kids, families and seniors during these challenging times.
Highlights of this year included the repaving of Earl Street and Suburban Avenue, in response to your requests. I’m also happy to report that Ward 7 resident and business owner Michael Thao and his development team at JB Vang will be breaking ground in the new year on a beautiful 60-unit apartment building at East 7th and Birmingham, for a range of incomes, that will include nineteen 3-bedroom units!
Please work with our SPPD East Team and follow their advice on how to stay safe this winter. Keep an eye out for your neighborhood, and don’t hesitate to call 911 to report threatening or suspicious activity.
Please know that we are always here to respond to your requests and concerns – in case you need it my cell phone is 651-308-4984 – and be sure to leave voicemail, so I can call you back.
Wishing you and your families a peaceful, healthy and happy 2021 from the Ward 7 team, Polly Heintz, Councilmember Jane Prince and Stephanie Harr.
Reach out and write a letter to a senior! Your words will mean so much to older folks in isolation. East Side Elders will print and distribute your letters to seniors in the community – spread kindness and hope in a time of uncertainty! Click here, it only takes a minute!
Although we have been lucky to have mostly escaped snow so far this year, we know it will eventually get here. When that times comes, here is the information you might want to have for future reference. In addition, Public Works has introduced an interactive map to show specific parking guidance visually.
As the weather is getting colder, we are sharing information about the federally funded Energy Assistance Program (EAP), which helps lower-income Minnesotans keep warm during the winter months by helping them pay their energy and heating bills. The Energy Assistance Program can help by providing financial assistance:
- To pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection
- To purchase fuel for delivery in emergencies
- To repair or replace homeowners old or malfunctioning furnaces.
The program is for renters and owners. You can find more information here
The City of Saint Paul continues efforts to assist people experiencing homelessness with added urgency as the weather turns colder. Significant new facilities are opening and offering more options for those who are in need of shelter. The city's website has regular updates here.
Involve MN partners with the city to provide meals at 26 of the most populated encampments throughout Saint Paul. The service provides a cold meal in the morning, and an individually prepared hot meal in the evening for up to 350 unsheltered individuals a day.
Want to help? Learn more about organizations providing services and volunteer opportunities
In addition to your preferred homeless service providers, other City nonprofit partners include Catholic Charities/Higher Ground; Model Cities of St Paul, Inc.; and Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, among others.
The City works with numerous community partners on COVID-19 and unsheltered relief efforts. Visit stpaul.gov/neighbors for more information about getting involved.
Down Payment Assistance and Homebuyer Education
The $7 million NeighborhoodLIFT program, a collaboration by Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks® America, and its local network member NeighborWorks Home Partners will offer $15,000 in down payment assistance for 425 eligible homebuyers who earn 80% or less of the area median income. Mortgages made with NeighborhoodLIFT down payment assistance are not exclusive to Wells Fargo given the philanthropic nature of the program, but are limited to owner-occupied properties in Minneapolis or Saint Paul.
NeighborhoodLIFT down payment assistance funds will be available on January 11. Interested homebuyers can click here to learn about eligibility requirements, the steps to apply, and details for how to sign-up for homebuyer education.
The investment includes $250,000 in grants for Home Ownership Counseling that will provide up to 500 interested homebuyers an opportunity to receive complimentary homeownership education and credit counseling by participating HUD-approved agencies.
Closing Cost Credit
Wells Fargo also recently launched a closing cost credit of up to $5,000 for some homebuyers in Saint Paul. This credit, offered to eligible homebuyers who are at or below 80% of the area median income, is not available with all loan types. The credit may be combined with other Wells Fargo approved down payment assistance programs and gift funds, such as the Saint Paul HRA program and of course the LIFT dollars. More information about this credit is available here.
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