The City of Minneapolis will allocate $1 million in funds for emergency rental assistance, as families impacted by the ongoing federal immigration operation seek help paying bills.
After an hours-long discussion Thursday, the City Council voted to allocate the money from its cash reserves to Hennepin County, which has an emergency rent assistance fund that residents can apply for.
“This is one of the ways in which we can demonstrate to residents that the council hears them, cares about them, and is stepping up to do something to support them,” said Council member Robin Wonsley, one of the resolution’s authors.
Rental assistance hotlines in the state say calls for help have skyrocketed this year. Some callers say they’re not going to work because they’re afraid they’ll be detained by ICE if they leave the house. Others say a family breadwinner was detained, leaving them struggling to pay the bills.
Council member Aisha Chughtai said lots of residents have been asking her where they can get help.
“I spoke to a mom who is disabled. Her husband is in detention. She's now suddenly become a single parent. She's behind on rent,” Chughtai said. “Every story is tragic. It is heartbreaking.”
