Hennepin County committees weigh $11M homeless prevention boost, youth grants ahead of Aug. 4 board meeting
Hennepin County committees met July 28 to consider funding items totaling more than $15 million, including an $11 million increase for homeless prevention and rapid re-housing. All July 28 meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not been published, so no actions are confirmed. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to take up several of the same items Aug. 4.
Human Services Committee
The committee was scheduled to consider an amendment to an agreement with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency adding $11,000,000 for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, bringing the new total to $19,075,000 and adding 9.0 full-time-equivalent positions. A separate amendment with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Transition to Community Services would increase revenue by $275,000, to a new total of $2,902,500. A resolution covering multiple provider contracts (item 26-0251) was also listed, with no dollar amount in the agenda.
Health Committee
A $1,845,540 grant agreement (A2211546) with the Minnesota Department of Health was listed to fund the NorthPoint Health & Wellness Federally Qualified Health Center Subsidy Grant Program for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. The committee was also set to review Amendment 5 to agreement PR00001281 with Forensic and Telementalhealth Services LLC, increasing the total to $148,000 and extending it to Aug. 31, 2027. A presentation on the Next Step Program by Director Kentral Galloway and School Intervention Supervisor Larry Burgess was scheduled.
Administration, Operations and Budget Committee
The committee agenda included $1,286,919 in Hennepin County Youth Activities Grants for play areas, equipment, lifeguard services, and arts and music. Lease amendments were listed for the Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center at 515 15th Ave S, Minneapolis (Jan. 15, 2027–Jan. 14, 2032) and for NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center at 800 West Broadway, Minneapolis, with $61,762 first-year gross rent (Jan. 1, 2027–Feb. 28, 2032). A landscaping services agreement with Maple Grove for the Maple Grove Library was listed at not to exceed $71,090. The committee was also scheduled to set 2027 premium rates for the county's self-insured dental plan.
Law, Safety and Justice Committee
Items included an amendment to the Faul Psychological agreement for assessments and wellness services, increasing the total not-to-exceed amount to $448,000; an agreement with the Minnesota State Agricultural Society for law enforcement at the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 27–Sept. 8, 2026); and an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for auto-theft crime prevention investigation services totaling $1,545,000.
Public Works Committee
The committee was scheduled to review 2026 ERF grant agreements totaling not to exceed $1,989,793, including a specific agreement (PR00008566) with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District not to exceed $285,457.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The HRA agenda included a resolution to terminate and forgive a 2002 Affordable Housing Incentive Fund agreement (A040987) with RS EDEN for the Lindquist Apartments in Minneapolis, plus claims registers for periods ending May 31 and June 30, 2026.
Coming up
The Board of Hennepin County Commissioners meets Aug. 4 to consider consent items including the $1,286,919 Youth Activities Grants, the $11,000,000 increase for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program, the NorthPoint lease amendment, the Maple Grove Library landscaping agreement, and a consulting services agreement with kpC Staffing, Inc. to recruit Hennepin Healthcare System Inc. board members, not to exceed $125,000.
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority also meets Aug. 4 to discuss a lease agreement (A2613537) with Red Lake Nation College for property at 301 10th Ave S, with expected revenue of $12,000.