Minnesota’s Governor and Lt. Governor recently announced that 100 million dollars of federal Coronavirus relief funds will be allocated for rent relief and preventing homelessness during the pandemic.
In a press conference, Gov. Tim Walz said the economic fall-out of the pandemic has hit Minnesota families hard, and that this funding program is important, because stable housing is key to health, safety and wellbeing. Especially during a pandemic.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is Anishinaabe, acknowledged that the housing crisis was around before COVID-19 hit, too, and that housing instability issues continue to disproportionately affect people of color.
“People of color are more likely to be homeless, etc. housing justice is racial justice. And I’m pleased we are acting today to do what we can to help people stay in their homes,” said Flanagan.
So, this is how state officials say it’ll work:
First, local organizations will be selected by the state to administer the housing assistance program. Grants will then be made to local administrators who will begin working with eligible households and help them maintain housing stability.
Housing officials believe Minnesotans can begin applying for assistance from local grant administrators in the first part of August.
The $100 million dollar housing assistance program will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
More information on housing assistance can be found at mnhousing.gov. That’s www.MNhousing.gov
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