Richfield, MN

The COVID-19 pandemic created a variety of hardships for people, ranging from financial instability to mental health challenges. Members of our society who were most impacted by the global health crisis were also the most vulnerable and historically excluded. To help bolster the services most needed by our at-risk residents, the city council recently allocated a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address housing insecurity and domestic violence prevention.

The funding was approved at the council’s March 22 meeting.

Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, or VEAP, will receive $100,000 to help Richfield residents with rent and utility payment assistance for those households whose income falls below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

“When people experience homelessness, it creates chaos in their lives that leads to a slew of other problems beyond not having a place to live,” remarked Ward I Councilmember Simon Trautmann. “By using ARPA funds, we can fill some of those gaps.”

Cornerstone will receive $20,000 to ensure residents in need of assistance following an incident of domestic violence have the resources they need and someone to advocate on their behalf.

The City of Richfield has had long and mutually-beneficial relationships with both organizations for decades. Traditionally, both organizations receive funding through the city’s Community Service Grants program administered by the Community Development Department.    

“VEAP and Cornerstone both provide critical services to residents in need and have capably responded to the increased demand for their services during the pandemic,” explained Assistant Community Development Director Julie Urban. “Using ARPA funds will allow both organizations to meet the immediate housing and safety needs of residents that continue to be negatively impacted by the pandemic.”

In all, the City of Richfield has received $3.98 million in ARPA funding.

American Rescue Plan Act funds may be used to support initiatives that address economic harms to households, small businesses, nonprofits, impacted industries, and the public sector. Assistance for impacted and disproportionately impacted people are encouraged uses for the funds.

The use of additional ARPA funds will be part of the ongoing strategic planning and budget process.

“As a council, we understand the city has both internal and external needs we could use ARPA funds for, but I hope we can find more ways, like our support for VEAP and Cornerstone, to invest them in our community,” said Ward III Councilmember Ben Whalen. 

Learn more about VEAP.
Learn more about Cornerstone.