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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn
Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
CARES Act funding
Hotel purchase for protective housing
The board designated $13.3 million to purchase a hotel and convert it into more than 100 units of protective housing for people experiencing homelessness who are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 due to age or underlying medical conditions. If finalized, the property will open before the end of the year with professional property management, and supportive services and security.
Previously, the board designated $3.6 million to purchase two other properties for replacement protective housing. The 160 units of protective housing will replace units Hennepin County began leasing in March as protective housing for homeless adults with underlying health problems.
Indoor Villages shelter program
The board allocated $2.2 million to the Indoor Villages project, which will consist of 100 tiny structures located inside a warehouse building. Each resident will have their own individual living space at the shelter and will receive help to connect to permanent housing. This model allows for more physical distancing and may better serve people who do not feel comfortable staying in a traditional shelter.
Low-barrier housing program
The board designated $1.1 million to support a low-barrier housing program operated by the American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) in Minneapolis. The program will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and address the overrepresentation of Native Americans among people impacted by COVID-19.
Staff to operate protective housing at hotel sites
The board approved $1 million to provide staffing at hotel sites for people experiencing homelessness who are at higher risk of deadly impacts from COVID-19. Catholic Charities and Primus Incorporated will provide food, ensure COVID-19 guidelines are in place and support residents’ health needs.
Emergency assistance for affordable housing property owners
The board allocated $5 million to establish a program that will allow rental property owners to apply for emergency rental assistance on behalf of tenants who cannot pay rent due to COVID-19.
The goals are to protect tenants more efficiently, reduce evictions, and stabilize rental properties so owners can plan for new costs to implement COVID-19 public health measures.
Business recovery network
The board allocated $700,000 to establish a network that will aid businesses in COVID-19 recovery by providing peer-to-peer business roundtables, hosting a critical topics series, and matching businesses with specialized technical assistance and coaching.
Emergency shelter for women
The board designated $800,000 over two years to operate an emergency shelter for women in Minneapolis, addressing the lack of shelter beds for individuals who identify as female during high-demand seasons.
Disavowing discriminatory covenants
The board disavowed the past practice of discriminatory covenants, which were embedded in property deeds in Hennepin County and elsewhere in the United States. These covenants kept people who were not white from buying or occupying land.
Hennepin County will update the tract index of affected properties with a notice that discriminatory covenants are unenforceable, against public policy and of no legal effect. The county will also waive the recording fee for property owners who wish to disavow a discriminatory covenant in their property’s title.
Learn how to check for restrictive covenants on your property and what to do if you find one.
Ending Hennepin County leases
The board approved a plan to vacate unoccupied space and reduce expenses by ending three leases for Human Services and the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation. The county is providing many services remotely and consolidating staff workspaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a reduced need for these spaces. Moving forward, the county is focusing on maximizing existing county-owned spaces and using appointment-based models to provide safe and efficient in-person services.
Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available at hennepin.us/boardmeetings.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.
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