Community Experience

**August 2022 pop-up splash pad event at Nesbitt Preserve Park**

Community Experience actions focus on strategies for building a community that provides equitable access to resources and opportunities, while actively striving to eradicate institutional racism.

In response to the Race Equity Report recommendations, the City has increased the frequency of existing community engagement programs, such as Pop-Up Splash Pad, Coffee with a Cop and Fitness in the Parks events. The City is reaching more residents of color by conducting these additional events in diverse neighborhoods.

The City has strengthened partnerships with community service organizations and other programs with renewed focus on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The results of these initiatives have included the City hosting its first-ever Iftar (meal eaten after sunset during Muslim observance of Ramadan), construction of the community's first cricket pitch at Nesbitt Preserve Park and the establishment of a local housing trust fund to support affordable housing options.

The strategies underway are described in two areas of recommendations which are outlined in the Race Equity Report:

#1 | Community Events. Devote more resources to promoting block parties and community events to gather residents of different cultures.

Activity/Goal	Measurement	Department	Timeline
Support community engagement opportunities that provide opportunities for residents of color to share their voices and experiences with the broader community	Number of events and participants who are residents of color	Community Development	Ongoing
Greater exposure for Fire and Building Inspections staff at community events	Number of events attended	Fire	Ongoing
Offer free pop-up events at neighborhood parks adjacent to neighborhoods with higher percentages of residents of color	Attendance	Parks and Recreation	Ongoing
Expand free outdoor group fitness classes to neighborhood parks located near higher populations of residents of color	Attendance	Parks and Recreation	Ongoing
Grow annual "PeopleFest! A Community Celebration of Culture" event	Attendance, diversity of cultures participating	Parks and Recreation	Ongoing
Participate in community engagement/education events and programs to reach residents of color	Attendance	Police	Ongoing

#2 | Provide additional support and resources to community members and organizations working on similar diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Activity/Goal	Measurement	Department	Timeline
Explore requiring Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans for new multi-family developments to increase applications from people of color	Affordable units are rented to residents of color at a rate meeting or exceeding their presence in the community	Community Development	2023
Create and implement Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Action Plan to benefit residents of color	Number of buildings/units preserved, number of residents of color whose affordability is preserved	Community Development	Nearly complete
Consider a Tenant Protection Ordinance to protect residents of color living in affordable units/properties	Number of households of color receiving accommodation, financial compensation or relief	Community Development	2024
Establish a local housing trust fund to support affordable housing options likely to be accessed by residents of color	Number of funding awards to projects/activities benefiting residents of color	Community Development	Complete
Operate First-Time Homebuyers Program using Community Development Block Grant funds and pooled Tax Increment Financing, possibly including a first-generation homebuyer effort focusing on historically underserved populations	Number of unique marketing efforts focused on people of color	Community Development	Ongoing
Operate Rehab Loan Program using Community Development Block Grant funds and pooled Tax Increment Financing to serve low-income clients and residents of color	Residents of color are served at a rate matching or exceeding their presence in the community	Community Development	Ongoing
Support community land trust through Community Development Block Grant funds to support additional affordable housing options for homebuyers of color	Residents of color are served at a rate matching or exceeding their presence in the community	Community Development	Annual
Support needs of residents of color through grant-making to local non-profit organizations	Percentage of residents of color served, proportionate to community demographics	Community Development	Ongoing, 2-year grant cycles
Use Property Managers Collaborative to provide landlords with training and information related to race equity that increase cultural competency	Number of trainings provided/property managers engaged in race equity topics, evaluations of trainings	Community Development	Ongoing
Implement Inclusionary Housing Policy to ensure affordable housing construction benefits residents of color	Residents of color renting affordable units at a rate meeting or exceeding their presence in the community	Community Development	Ongoing
Create affordable housing units accessible to people of color through low-income housing tax credits, Hennepin County and Met Council grants	Number of times funding prioritizing people of color is accessed	Community Development	Ongoing
Require human services grant recipients to demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in grant-funded activities	Percent of grantees in compliance	Community Development	Implement with 2023 RFP process
Determine need for Just Deeds services and connect them with property owners if applicable	Eliminate race-related deed restrictions	Community Development	2023-2024

Race Equity Implementation Progress