Item Description:
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Agmt A2513168 with MN DHS for emergency rental assistance, 01/01/26-12/31/26, $2,550,000 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2513168 with Minnesota Department of Human Services for the provision of emergency rental assistance, during the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, in the receivable amount of $2,550,000 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED that a supplemental appropriation of $2,550,000 be made to the 2026 Human Services and Public Health budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for the program by Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
State of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees the Emergency General Assistance (EGA) program, which provides one-time financial assistance to adults with low incomes and no children in the household who are facing a household emergency. EGA funds are earmarked for counties on an annual basis, but these funds are typically not disbursed to counties, as the State of Minnesota generally issues payments on behalf of counties.
Historically, Hennepin County has provided emergency rent assistance through EGA. In 2025, Hennepin County centralized all emergency rent assistance through its RentHelp Hennepin program in order to streamline access to this critical assistance for residents facing eviction. To maximally preserve emergency rent assistance funding for Hennepin County residents through the RentHelp Hennepin program, DHS has authorized Hennepin County to administer a portion of its annual EGA allocation through Rent Help Hennepin and subsequently receive reimbursement from DHS for incurred expenses.
The proportion of EGA funds to be set aside for emergency rent assistance administered through RentHelp Hennepin is equivalent to the amount of emergency rent assistance historically administered through EGA. Hennepin County will imminently enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Minnesota DHS regarding the use and reimbursement of these funds. The remaining balance of Hennepin County's EGA allocation will continue to be administered through Economic Supports for emergency expenses other than emergency rent assistance.
This funding will enable Hennepin County to preserve housing stability for a projected 690 additional households facing eviction in 2026.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval