Policy Highlights &
Actions
|
|
American Rescue Plan Signed into law by President Biden!
This will provide over $25 Billion in rental & utility Assistance, $10 Billion Homeowner Assistance, and $5 Billion Homeless Assistance.
|
|
We’d like to say, “Thank you!” to the over 320 people who joined us for the four MICAH Chapter Legislative Breakfast Events we hosted in February.
Our legislators hit the ground running at the start of this year’s session, as the pandemic continues to strain resources and deepen already desperate situations. We appreciate the time they were able to give, as well as the thoughtfulness and dedication of the people who showed up to listen and share.
We appreciate their support for equity in our policy responses including the Lead Safe Homes Bill, Homes for All Legislation, Second Chance Coalition priorities, and the Promise Act.
|
|
Lead Safe Homes Bill HF 616/SF1077
More “Thank You’s” are in order.
Representative Fischer and Senator Housley are the chief authors on the Lead Safe Homes Bill HF616 and SF1077.
This $2 Million dollar bill will help prevent thousands of children from being brain damaged by lead paint poisoning.
1 in 3 homes in Minnesota may have lead paint and 1 in every 100 children in Minnesota have elevated lead blood levels which can cause significant brain damage.
Representative Hassan, Senator Abler, and Senator Wiger for stepping up as co-authors.
And Representative Hausman for the excellent Lead Safe Homes Bill hearing and moving it forward to be considered in Housing omnibus bill. Passage of Lead Safe Homes Bill in the omnibus bill provides a pathway for passage by the House of Representatives and potentially in a final conferenced bill deal between the House and Senate!
|
|
Meet the People Who Make MICAH Happen |
|
Sue Baysden
Board Member, Anoka County Chapter Organizer
I first became involved with MICAH in the late 90s when I began participating in the MICAH North Chapter.
In 2009, I helped establish Family Promise in Anoka County, which operates the only shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Anoka County. I have served on the board for 10 years and also serve on the Congregational Relations Committee.
I joined the board of MICAH in January 2020, and I was asked to work on forming a chapter for Anoka County itself.
I am honored to be part of MICAH because of their advocacy for affordable housing and also helping people who are, or have been, experiencing housing insecurity.
|
|
|
|
MICAH's Board Members discuss the importance of making sure that the people impacted by homelessness and housing crisis are the key decision makers in finding and creating solutions to ensure that everyone has a safe, decent, accessible, and affordable home. |
|
|
Our MICAH Anoka County chapter began forming in September, 2020.
We are reaching out to local congregations, officials, and organizations that work with people experiencing homelessness.
As we continue to grow, we will study housing patterns and affordable housing challenges in the county. Please contact us if you are interested in joining or just to see what we are all about.
|
|
Freedom From the Streets -
Advocacy and Assistance
Junail Freeman Anderson and Alexis Kramer are featured in this portrait series presented by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. Junail is also featured in their December 14, 2020, article, Federal aid divides homeless in the Twin Cities, highlighting her advocacy work through FFtS and Street Voices for Change.
Photo above is from the December 21, 2020 eviction of St. Paul's Kellogg encampment, at which Junail and cohort were witness and worked to help people get to safer accommodations.
|
|
On Friday, February 26th, over 75 people signed on to the Housing for All Breakfast online event.
Roxanne Smith, founder of Housing for All at St. Joseph the Worker in Maple Grove, facilitated our discussion. Senator Hoffman indicated he would be a co-author of the Lead Safe Homes Bill. John Duffy, Duffy Development, showed off their latest development, Bottineau 3 in Maple Grove.
|
|
Minneapolis Community - News & Action
The Upper Harbor Project continues; impact on the community is still being understood. You can check out process and community engagement opportunities here at the Public Realm Infrastructure Project.
|
|
Abe Demaaj, from African Immigrants Lake Council (a MICAH Member) is testifying for the needs of the Lake Street rebuilding efforts. Here are a couple of his statements:
|
|
This year, our Legislative Breakfast, like so many other things impacted by COVID, was different.
In the urgency to deal with the pandemic, combined with the ease of setting up virtual meetings, legislative committees were already up and running several weeks earlier than normal!
We met with 8 elected officials and 60 local voters; multiple levels of government represented – the chapter spans both suburban Ramsey and Washington counties, so we invited both county commissioners and mayors of cities across those two counties.
|
|
The St. Paul Chapter had an excellent Legislative Breakfast on the morning of February 12th. With over 80 people attending, and over 12 elected officials, we had a thorough and engaging discussion of MICAH’s upcoming policy agenda.
At the State level, Representative Alice Hausman is again seeing through some of the most important and far-reaching policy proposals as the chair of the Housing Committee. Our Lead Safe Homes bill got wide support from electeds and our assembled faith leaders. We have video of the event and a slide presentation (pdf).
The St. Paul Chapter continues to meet monthly on the third Thursday at 5PM, dates coming up; March 18, April 15, and May 20.
|
|
Over 95 people joined us at the MICAH South Chapter (Dakota County) Breakfast Feb. 19th.
We addressed housing and school inequities and the impact of the pandemic, as we prioritize housing that is affordable and resources programs in Dakota County. Read more here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
