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A new report from PolicyLink details strategies that cities can lead to create equitable housing outcomes for residents by moving privately owned rental housing into tenant or nonprofit ownership to avoid speculation, promote community control, and create permanently affordable housing. Download the report.
This month, MN350 released a new poll showing Minnesotans’ strong support across the political spectrum for Minnesota transitioning to energy sources like wind and solar. The poll found 66% of Minnesotans think the number one goal of Minnesota’s energy policy should be transitioning 100% of the state’s energy to clean, renewable sources. Read more and see the detailed results.
The recent high-profile police killings of Black and brown people, coupled with the rising violence against Asian Americans have mobilized a new community of people looking for ways to engage. For Asian Heritage Month, Asian American Organizing Project has compiled a list of ways to get activated this month — and beyond. Read more.
Alliance member organization Housing Justice Center has launched a new initiative to support and empower renters who have been denied housing because of tenant screening practices that widen racial disparities in housing access, affordability, and quality. Learn more here.
A new brief shares five key lessons from a survey and analysis of 220 “first-generation” COVID emergency rental assistance programs to develop programs that intentionally work towards addressing racial and income disparities. Read the brief.
Minnesota Power has filed its Integrated Resource Plan, which maps out how it intends to deliver energy for the next 15 years. Despite significant 100% carbon-free goals, the plan still goes big on fossil gas and doesn’t go far or fast enough to address environmental, racial, and economic justice. See the scorecard from Alliance member organizations Sierra Club North Star Chapter, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy and others.
The Met Council is engaging customers and communities about their experiences with the region’s transit system and Metro Transit Police Department to examine what safety really means for our operators, our customers, our neighbors in community, and youth riding our system. Learn more here and sign up for a virtual community forum in early June here.
Minnesota Housing is receiving $128 million from the federal government to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage or other housing-related costs due to economic impacts of COVID-19. The agency is seeking input on how to structure the program to have the biggest impact for homeowners in need and reach those most at risk of displacement. Take the survey by May 21.
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MinnPost reports that, based ona new tool estimating rent debt nationwide, "in Minnesota, the total estimated debt is $155.6 million for 53,000 households owing an average of $2,900. Of those Minnesota households, 60% are people of color... and just over half of the accumulated debt is from Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Read more.
Sahan Journal reports on a recent rally featuring community organizers and Rep. Ilhan Omar that highlighted how "diverse communities want to be part of building a more resilient and environmentally friendly nation — and a just transition to a green economy." Read more and join us for our next Actualizing Equity event on this topic!
Alliance member organization Fresh Energy analyzes the proposed federal infrastructure bill and shares "what we’re most excited about — and where we hope the Biden Administration will focus additional effort." Read more.
The Pioneer Press explores new proposals to reduce or eliminate parking minimums for new developments in St. Paul, and require developers of large projects to invest in alternatives to vehicular travel. Read more. Meanwhile, city council voted unanimously last week to eliminate parking minimums in Minneapolis.
Shelterforce explores how housing can be designed to promote good health, not just by improving indoor air quality and removing hazards like mold and lead, but by "designing and managing trauma-informed housing that recognizes the symptoms of trauma to create environments that empower residents." Read more.
The Star Tribune reports how "a small Latino nonprofit in St. Paul has taken on a massive and unlikely role amid the COVID-19 pandemic: distributing $14 million in government aid to prevent evictions or foreclosures for 5,000 households statewide." Read more.
Writing for Pollen, Neeraj Mehta explains that "Ending division is a good goal, but I don’t think calling for unity is what gets us there. A serious commitment to unity requires a serious call and commitment to justice. Unity would be an outflow or byproduct of our country pursuing and achieving justice in visible and tangible ways." Read more.
The Minnesota Reformer shares the story of a renter from the apartment complex across from the Brooklyn Center Police Department, who, in addition to deep trauma, suffered lesions, pain and dizziness from tear gas exposure due to law enforcement response to protests in the wake of Daunte Wright's murder. Read more.
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Join us for our next Actualizing Equity event on Friday, May 28, as we hear from leaders and community members who are moving Minnesota toward climate solutions that center justice and power for BIPOC communities. Moderated by Janiece Watts (Fresh Energy) with Sam Grant (MN350), Robert Blake (Solar Bear / Native Sun) and others! Register here! |
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TODAY, May 19, 11:30am-12:30pm
Transit, biking, walking, and rolling are critical for our climate and our communities in Minnesota. What did your state lawmakers do about it? Join Move Minnesota advocates and allies to recap the 2021 legislative session, celebrate the momentum we’re building together, and look ahead to what’s next. Register.
Thursday, May 20, 6-8:30pm
Join Alliance member organization Urban Homeworks for a virtual forum with nonprofit partners, community members, residents, supporters, and elected officials to discuss and ask questions about upcoming policies that will greatly affect Minneapolis renters. Come ready with questions on how these policies impact affordable housing in your community. Register.
Thursday, May 20, 6:30-8:30pm
Join the 100% Campaign for for a fun and fast-paced recap of what happened in the 2021 Legislative Session, covering a wide range of topics that were at play this year, both climate- and not-climate-related including: energy, soil health, transportation, environment, bonding, taxes, criminal justice reform, and voting rights. Register.
Friday, May 21, to Sunday, May 23
Memorialize The Movement, in collaboration with Save The Boards and Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, is hosting a free outdoor exhibition in Phelps Field Park of protest art that was created in response to the murder of George Floyd. In an effort to uplift local Black creatives, the event will feature 18 artists painting murals on blank plywood, and 12 performers, speakers, and musicians. RSVP here.
Sunday, May 23, 12-4pm
As a community, we have the power to put rent stabilization on the November 2021 ballot, in an effort to #KeepStPaulHome for everyone. Join Housing Equity Now St. Paul at Conway Park and Recreation Center for a rally to support the campaign and provide resources for renters. More info here.
Tuesday, May 25, 1-9pm
The George Floyd Global Memorial and the community at George Floyd Square will host a celebration to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd and the community that emerged in the wake of the tragedy. The free event centers the family and friends of George Floyd, Minnesota families impacted by injustice, and the people who have preserved the memorial for 12 months. More info here.
Thursday, May 26, 12-1pm
Join MPR News host Angela Davis for the latest In Focus conversation with community leaders, memory keepers and activists working to preserve and maintain George Floyd’s impact and legacy in our Minnesota communities and beyond. Register.
Saturday, June 5, to Tuesday, June 8
As Enbridge builds Line 3 through Anishinaabe treaty land and the Mississippi Headwaters, join MN350, Honor the Earth and others for a gathering in Northern Minnesota, centered on nonviolent direct action, to stop construction and tell the world that the days of tar sands pipelines are over. Learn more here.
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Last week, members of Equity in Place — including Fadumo Mohamed, a Housing Organizer for African Career, Education and Resource Inc, pictured above — hosted a press conference centering the voices of renters and community-based organizations who are calling on the Walz administration and members of the state legislature to ensure the eviction moratorium off-ramp prioritizes racial equity and housing stability. Watch the 30-minute event here.
Send photos of organizers and campaigns in action to carolyn@thealliancetc.org! Add an optional short caption, and let us know how you would like to be credited (name, organization, website, social media handle, etc.)
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