What’s the Deal?: Housing Crisis and State Response

July 2, 2020 By Sarah

Join Beacon on Wednesday, July 8 from 4 to 5 p.m. for What’s the Deal?: Housing Crisis and State Response

Speakers: Ben Helvick Anderson, Director of Public Policy and Craig Freeman, Community Connection Manager

Ben will provide a perspective on what the current Minnesota legislature has (or hasn’t) accomplished on behalf of our neighbors who experience housing instability on a daily basis. Also discussed will be a rundown of our future political goals and how Beacon’s policy work all leads toward our vision of a world in which all people have a home.

This is a good first step to learn more about advocacy work that neighbors can do to encourage and fund more affordable housing options in our State.

To register, please email me your name and if you are a member of a congregation or a community. Once registered, I will provide a login directions for the event.

Clara Lind,

Beacon’s Donor Experience Manager

Hennepin County Jeopardy: a virtual game show focused on how Commissioners can wield power to shape affordable housing policy

July 1, 2020 By Sarah

Looking for something fun to do? Want to learn something while you’re at it? Have we got the game show for YOU!

Beacon invites you to watch and play Hennepin County Jeopardy on Thursday, July 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. Featuring our talented host Rev. Cindy Hillger, Deacon at St. Martin’s by the Lake Episcopal Church, and three live contestants, this fun evening will highlight some pretty serious stuff! With commissioner elections just around the corner, you’ll learn about the power of Hennepin County government and see the influence commissioners wield in shaping local policy, including housing policy.

Play along and build momentum around upcoming campaigns to push Hennepin County to invest in affordable housing developments like Bimosedaa and Vista 44.

It’ll be an evening of fun for the whole family, right from the comfort of your own home.

RSVP today to get the login information and let us know you’ll be there.

City of Minneapolis Housing Gap Fund Opens at 9 AM Today

April 22, 2020 By Sarah

Application period for housing/utilities support is Wednesday April 21 at 9AM – Monday April 27 at 12:00 noon

The City of Minneapolis’s GAP fund will begin accepting applications for housing/utility support on Wednesday, April 22 at 9AM. An overview of this fund, including what documents are needed to apply, can be found in multiple languages here.

If you have questions about filing your application, call and leave a message at 612-302-3129 and your call will be returned. The application period will end on Monday April 27 at 12:00 noon.

nformation that applicants will need to have available to apply:

Annual household gross income (before taxes) for May 2019 through April 2020
Current monthly household gross income
Amount of household income lost due to COVID-19 (EHA program)
Amount of assistance needed to solve household’s current housing emergency
Whether one or more children in the household are currently enrolled in a Minneapolis Public School elementary school. If yes, the name of the school (SHSS program).

Please note: Immigration or documentation status does not affect eligibility.

Minneapolis $3 Million Housing Gap Funds

April 18, 2020 By Sarah

Applications will be accepted 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22 through 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, April 27.

The City has worked with the Tenant Resource Center (TRC) to engage a broad team of Hennepin County staff and Community Prevention Providers (CPPs) to facilitate the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program. The housing gap funds will help at least 1500 Minneapolis households.

The amount of assistance provided will depend on the individual needs of the household. In most cases, the maximum amount of assistance will not exceed $1,500 per household, but providers will have the flexibility to provide up to $2,000 under extraordinary circumstances. Eligible expenses include rent payments, utility payments and/or other housing stability related costs.

Payments will be made directly to the rental property owner, utility company, or the housing cost payee.

Details and applications for the Minneapolis Gap Funds for Housing guidelines and process are available at http://minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/gap-funding and have also been posted in Somali, Oromo, Spanish, and Hmong. Those without online access can call the Tenant Resource Center at 612-302-3129 and leave a voice mail message.

Considering Stimulating the Economy by Donating to Local Nonprofits?

April 16, 2020 By Sarah

Currently many households are receiving “stimulus checks” in the mail (or direct deposited right into their bank accounts), as part of the economic recovery plan related to the impact of COVID-19. We understand that many families and individuals really need this money. We at KFNA are hopeful that this payment may help them stabilize their housing situation, buy some groceries, or pay other outstanding bills at this difficult time.

Other families and individuals, however, have been able to continue to work from home for the last month and while things are far from “normal”, they are still “alright”. Many of these households are talking about donating some, or all, of their stimulus checks to benefit those who are struggling more than they are in this pandemic. Donating to local nonprofit organizations is one way to do this. Many nonprofits have been working overtime to create new, safe systems to continue to feed, provide health services, and care for some of our most vulnerable populations including seniors, children, low-income families, and those struggling with mental health or chronic health issues.

If you don’t already have a “favorite” organization who is doing this work in our community, we encourage you to visit this spreadsheet that KFNA put together and learn more about some of these fantastic groups and the work they are doing. This week KFNA is highlighting many of these groups via social media; besides supporting them financially, we encourage you to both like, and share, our Tweets & Instagram (Twitter @Kingfield_KFNA) and Facebook Posts, and also encourage others you know to give generously in this time of unprecedented need.

Some of the frontline organizations that are seeking donations include:

Aliveness Project

American Red Cross

Avivo

Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota

Memorial Blood Centers

Metro Meals on Wheels

Sagrado de Corazon

Second Harvest Heartland

Sheridan Story

St. Stephen’s Human Services