Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing

Addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that dramatically impacted all of our lives over the last 3 years. It was imperative that people impacted by homelessness and the housing crisis prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic were major decision makers at every table. In 2022, our member organizations worked with thousands of people at risk of eviction, living in encampments or in motels/shelters, transitional and supportive housing in the metro area. MICAH developed the Trusted Messenger program with the Minnesota Department of Health in the summer 2021 to encourage people experiencing homelessness/at risk of homelessness to get COVID-19 vaccine and booster. MICAH has managed this statewide program for MDH with ACER since August 2021. Over 1500 people have been and/or provided accurate information about vaccines and was HUD's national example of COVID responses. MICAH continued to advocate for the State, Counties and Cities to utilize ARP and CARES Funds for a HOUSING NOW response MICAH helped with the expansion of influence of Freedom from the Streets ( FFTS) and No More Streets organizations organizing people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, organize in St Paul and Minneapolis MICAH staff and Board Member assisted FFTS to become a 501 3 in 2021 and assist them as requested for technology and grant writing assistance. Advocated for a stronger regional housing policy at the Metropolitan Council and with metro cities to develop over 1000 units of affordable housing for families, singles, youth and seniors by working with developers Advocated to expand Minnesota Housing Finance Agency's commitment to Fair Housing. Diligently maintained accountability for adherence and enforcement of Fair Housing Laws. MICAH settled and continues to monitor three of four Fair Housing Complaints and worked with the people impacted MICAH continues to provide significant community input and assistance in the implementation of the 2020 AI in the Twin Cities Hosted over 1000 participants in regional meetings in person and via zoom including Legislative Breakfasts, virtual community bus tours of affordable housing, and housing summits (our regional groups continue grow; Met Council and MPCA developed Equity Committees and a MICAH Board member serves on the MPCA Equity Committee. Continue to implement our strategic plan to expand our capacity by contracting with a fulltime Executive Director, social media consultant, contracted administrator and additional community organizers Diligently worked with HOMES for All and other advocacy groups in 2021 to maintain housing resources, increase awareness of the need to prevent and address lead issues in our homes and schools. MICAH Board members who experienced homelessness were Key Leaders and provided guidance on Homes for All Agenda. MICAH had been working for 11 years to ensure people experiencing homelessness were leaders in Homes for All leadership team.