MICAH South Chapter Virtual Bus Tour

On Wednesday, December 2, people from all around joined elected officials, city staff, faith leaders, community members and people experiencing homelessness and housing crises for an interactive and informational virtual bus tour to learn firsthand about local homelessness and housing concerns, and explore creative solutions being implemented in Dakota County.

PDF of Slide Presentations:
MICAH Slideshow of the Virtual Bus Tour with introductory slides for each stop
CARES Eviction Prevention and Emergency Shelter Programs - Stop #1
Host Homes - Jesse Mamaril - Stop #3
How Dakota County CDA Continues to Address Affordable Housing Needs - Stop #5
MICAH slideshow on policy and current legislative situation - Wrap up, Sue Watlov Phillips

Video Presentations During the Tour:

Unsheltered in Dakota County. A short interview with Ray & Tanya.

YMCA, interview with host home family & mentor - Stop #3

Cahill Place Tour & Interview with renter & people who made it happen. - Stop #4

Flythrough tour of permanent affordable housing in Dakota County. Stop #5.

There were five stops that highlight homelessness prevention, outreach, shelter, and housing.

(Stop #1) Eviction, Foreclosure, Homelessness Prevention: How Dakota County Has Mobilized Resources to Keep People Housed During COVID.

Presenter: Madeline Kastler, Deputy Director, Housing and Community Resources at Dakota County

(Stop #2) Outreach: How Local Housing Agencies Have Placed Unsheltered People into Safe Emergency Shelter

Presenter: Amber Hanson, Housing & Homeless Outreach Director, Ally Supportive Services, LLC

(Stop #3) Youth Homeless Programs: How Innovative Approaches Are Helping Dakota County's Homeless Youth

Presenters:
Stephanie Plaster, MSW, LGSW - The Link, CORE Program Manager
Jesse Mamaril - Host Homes, Youth Program Manager | YMCA Youth and Family Services

(Stop #4) Housing with Supportive Service: How a Congregation with a Heart for People who are Homeless, Built Housing with Generational Impact- Cahill Place

Presenters:
Pastor Peter Benedict, River Heights Vineyard Church
Nancy Cashman, Cahill Place/Center City Housing, Executive Director

(Stop #5) Permanent Affordable Housing: How Dakota County CDA Continues to Address Affordable Housing Needs

Presenter: Tony Schertler, Executive Director Dakota County CDA