It was nearly 30 years ago, she was just out of high school, and it wasn’t easy to make ends meet.
“My 18-year-old self would never in a million years think I’d be a county commissioner and in politics,” said Meisner who has represented District 4 on the Anoka County Board of Commissioners since 2019. “It did teach me there’s honor in all work and that financial struggle was a lesson.”
It’s for that reason that Meisner said she is glad the county could direct a small portion of its nearly $43 million in federal CARES Act COVID relief money to organizations like The Salvation Army and Anoka County Community Action Program to help those who have fallen behind with rent or mortgage payments.
“All of our services, for me, boil down to helping people in our neighborhoods, in our communities,” said Meisner.
ACCAP representatives work with low-income families to help direct resources their way, including rent assistance. Barb Sopp, housing director, said they’ve been able to help more than 100 families so far. On Tuesday, the county board sent $60,000 to ACCAP for that purpose, and Sopp said that money is already accounted for.
“It’s kind of scary. People are afraid to lose their housing,” said Sopp. She said renters of all financial and housing situations are impacted. “It’s challenging and rewarding all at the same time. It’s really nice to hear from people excited and in tears their rent is going to be paid. It’s high-volume, fast-paced because we are trying to help as many people as we can.”
ACCAP staff try to identify other sources of assistance for those calls they’ve received even after the county and federal funding dried up.
“It’s money their never going to have to come back and come up with and re-pay, which I think its a huge benefit,” said ACCAP Home Ownership Program Coordinator Judy Bond. She said the non-profit has also been able to help pay mortgages for those affected by the economic storm. “When you’ve lost your job, or cut down in hours, and nobody’s hiring because of it, where are you going to turn?”
Residents may get rental or mortgage assistance due to COVID from the CHAP (Chovid-19 Housing Assistance Program) which is a statewide program. If you have past due rent/mortgage from March 1 to date you can apply. Applications are still being accepted. Go to the Anoka County website for more info. You can also email Commissioner Mandy Meisner directly at Mandy.Meisner@co.anoka.mn.us.
