WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Minnesota $15,253,281 in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) to meet the housing needs of Minnesotans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. These funds, which Congress made available through the CARES Act, will help low-income families and Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens, including those experiencing homelessness.
The relief funds can be used to operate emergency shelters, provide hotel and motel vouchers and make more emergency shelters available, provide essential services including childcare, education services, employment assistance, outpatient health services, legal services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services and transportation, rehouse and prevent homelessness.
“As we continue to confront the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever that we ensure safe and stable housing is available for all Minnesotans,” Klobuchar said. “These grants will help meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations who now face an additional burden during this economic and public health crisis.”
“We need to support people who are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota and across the country as they face the pandemic,” Smith said. “And we need to be there for people who are worried about losing their homes after being hit by the economic fallout caused by the virus. This funding can help provide housing and create economic opportunity for groups of individuals who need it most. But this work can’t stop after the pandemic. I’ll keep pressing to help improve housing and economic opportunity in these communities.
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