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Greetings! We hope our newsletter serves as a resource for staying connected to Hennepin County activities and staying updated on county news and services. Our newsletter comes out the first Monday of each month.
We are always looking for resident feedback on ways to improve Hennepin County's service offerings. If you have an idea, please don't hesitate to reach out. As an elected official, I answer to you.
 Policy Update: Program Funding. The following Youth Sports Playground grants were funded in District 1 in 2022:
New Hope:
Where: Hidden Valley Park (8800 32nd Ave. N)
Amount: $25,000. The following Youth Sports Equipment grants were funded in District 1 in 2022:
New Hope:
Where: New Hope Lighted Baseball Field (8810 49th Ave. N)
Amount: $2,369.10
We're proud to announce the official launch of Elevate Business Construction! This program expands on the successful work of Elevate Business.
Construction businesses have many barriers to entry that make this program necessary. Eligible construction businesses ready to take things to the next level can get professional consulting and access an intensive training program, all paid for by the county!
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PLAYces to Play
 KABOOM! Play Everywhere. 7 types of city spaces: Parks & Open Spaces, Transit, Multi-Family Housing, Streets, Sidewalks & Trails, Commercial, Civic Spaces, and Movable/Pop-up Play.
Last month, the Board of Commissioners passed a BAR (Board Action Request) our office drafted to negotiate a contract for services between the county and KABOOM! KABOOM! is a national non-profit that works with communities to build kid-designed playspaces.
This will be the first such partnership between KABOOM! and a county, and is a key part of my office's investment-based approach to public safety.
Why is this important?
KABOOM's PLAY Everywhere model has a proven track record for improving public safety and mental health and wellbeing indicators in places of investment.
**Watch my interview on CCX News for more info.
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Next steps
Our work with KABOOM! will start after the new year. The timeline is still to be determined, but here are the steps that will be taken in the first half of 2023:
- Sign contract with KABOOM!
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Environmental scan across the county to determine areas of greatest need AND projects that could integrate playspaces into their designs.
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KABOOM! begins fundraising efforts, raising money for staffing and construction costs.
- Engage local stakeholders for participation on project committees (steering, design, and outreach).
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Outreach to residents located near proposed playspaces to ensure they are co-designed and reflect community wants and needs.
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Embedded Social Worker Program
 Map of embedded social worker expansion: 2019 (5 workers), 2020 - 2021 (15 workers), 2022 (31 workers), 2023 (45 workers).
Exciting news! Starting in 2023, Hennepin County's Embedded Social Worker program will cover ALL 46 cities within the county, with a total of 45 workers. We are so proud of the work being done to integrate public health and mental well-being into public safety departments and that the county is able to partially fund these workers.
Blue Line Funding
I'm happy to announce that the Commissioner Amendments I co-wrote with Commissioner Fernando (District 2) passed! Both amendments fund existing county programs that address displacement, specifying funds to be directed to work being done along the METRO Blue Line Extension corridor.
 Policy Update: Commissioner Amendments. $30,000 towards Elevate Business MN outreach efforts to businesses along the Blue Line corridor. Reallocated from community works. $500,000 towards the Community Investment Initiative (CII).
Blue Line project funding
Three Rivers Park District & Innovative SOULutions Partnership
 A family learns archery at Fish Lake Regional Park in Maple Grove during the Innovative SOULutions event.
I feel strongly that a person's environment impacts their mental health and well-being, which is why places are a central focal point of my approach as Hennepin County Public Safety Chair.
For the past year, Three Rivers Park District has worked with an organization called Innovative SOULutions on a program that brings people suffering from the trauma of gun violence into the parks. The most recent event on October 30 drew close to 75 people.
**Watch the full story by CCX Media here.
 Guaranteed Ride Home
Guaranteed Ride Home is a FREE reimbursement program for registered commuters. Its purpose is to make sure transit users can get home when their schedule unexpectedly changes.
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Who’s eligible?: commuters who take a bus, train, bike, and/or carpool at least 3 days a week
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Eligible trips include: Personal illness/emergency medical issue, Sick child/dependent family emergency, Unplanned overtime, & Regular car/vanpool unavailable
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Amount: 4 times per year OR up to $100 covered, whichever comes first.
Heating Assistance
With the weather getting colder and heating bills on the rise, it's important to know that there is assistance available specifically for this purpose in the form of grants.
Legally, the MN Cold Weather Rule protects utility customers (renters and homeowners) from having electric/natural gas turned off between October 1 - April 30.
**See graphics below for more info.
 MN Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Amount: $300 - $2,000 grants paid directly to your energy provider or utility company
Eligibility: based on energy cost, household size, and income (at or below 60% of Median Area Income).
Open to renters and homeowners. Contact Info: Call 952-930-3541
Submit an EAP Contact Form at www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assistance/
 EnergyCENTS Coalition:
What: two programs that help homeowners afford their utility bills/pay for past due bills – Xcel Energy POWER On & Gas Affordability Program and Greater Minnesota Gas’ Gas Affordability Program.
**Must have first received an EAP grant. Contact Info: Call 651-774-9010
Visit www.energycents.org to fill out a form
 MN Cold Weather Rule (CWR):
What: this law protects utility customers (renters and homeowners) from having electric/natural gas turned off between Oct. 1 - Apr. 30.
How: contact your local gas or electric company. Ask to be set up with a Cold Weather Rule payment plan. Contact Info: Call 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782
Email puc@state.mn.us
Rental Assistance
 Minnesota Housing: Program Options for Remaining Emergency Rental Assistance Funds
Minnesota Housing needs your input on how the agency should use the remaining Emergency Rental Assistance funds.
**Looking for housing resources now? Visit Hennepin's Homelessness and housing resources webpage.
Background Info
During the pandemic, RentHelpMN provided $450 million in housing assistance for renters who were behind on rent and utility payments. After receiving additional funds from the federal government, they now have $75 million left over. However, this is not enough to relaunch RentHelpMN.
Contact us
Jeffrey Lunde
Commissioner, 1st District
612-414-3302
Vicky Soukaseum
Policy Aide
612-414-4747
Anna Schmiel
Policy and Communications Aide
612-348-5202
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