BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A178348 with the McKnight Foundation to accept grant funds to support system alignment between courts, government, and community agencies to reduce evictions and expand housing stability in Hennepin County during the period of January 1, 2018 through February 28, 2019 in the receivable amount of $260,000 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; that a supplemental appropriation of $260,000 be made to the 2018 Human Services and Public Health Department budget and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse the funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.

On August 16, 2017, Hennepin County applied for a grant from the McKnight Foundation for the development of a predictive model for imminent evictions and a pilot demonstration of wrap–around social services, employment services, pre-filing mediation and legal representation of the tenant in tenant/landlord disputes to reduce evictions among low income Hennepin County residents. The grant was awarded by the board of directors of the McKnight Foundation on November 16, 2017. This new grant for one-time funding is for the period January 1, 2018 through Feb 28, 2019. The grant will be included in HSPHD’s 2018 and 2019 budget. A $150,000 cash match will be provided through Hennepin County’s TANF grant.

Hennepin County HSPHD will contract with NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Inc (NorthPoint Inc) for the provision of case management and flex fund services and with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid for tenant representation.

The pilot will work with 200 households of low-income families and single adults at risk of eviction who are served by programs offered at NorthPoint Inc. An assessment will be conducted on their housing situation, rent affordability, income opportunities, and social service needs of the tenant. Landlord tenant disputes will be referred to mediation or legal services, as appropriate. Flex funds will be used to assist with small expenses needed to maintain housing.

This item addresses housing disparity reduction by focusing on the supply of affordable housing for low income people of color. 

Expected outcomes are:

1. Higher percentage successfully receiving Emergency Assistance, measured through MAXIS records
2. Higher percentage staying in their current residence, measured through MAXIS address changes
3. Lower percentage receiving an eviction filing in District Court, as measured by District Court records
4. Lower percentage being forced to move, as measured by District Court records
5. Lower percentage experiencing homelessness, as measured by county shelter records, when compared to a control group of north side tenants.