HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-07 and Letter to Governor WalzFebruary 9, 2026
The Honorable Tim Walz
Governor of Minnesota
130 State Capitol
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Dear Governor Tim Walz,
On behalf of the City of Edina, we respectfully request the swift approval of funding for Emergency
Rental Assistance to be distributed to cities and nonprofit organizations with demonstrated
relevant experience.
As is well documented, Operation Metro Surge has created widespread fear and uncertainty among
many Minnesota residents. Hospitals, schools, and the construction and service industries have
reported that hard-working individuals are sheltering at home rather than risk unwarranted arrest
or detention. As a result, many vulnerable households face an impossible choice: risk detention by
going to work or risk eviction by staying home without wages. This situation is not of their making,
but the result of federal actions beyond their control.
While there is growing interest in an eviction moratorium, it is critical to reflect on lessons learned
during COVID. Moratoria, when implemented without sufficient financial support, caused significant
harm to housing providers. Some tenants who could pay did not, property owners struggled to
cover operating costs, maintenance was deferred, and nonprofit housing providers faced severe
financial strain—leading some to divest properties and services at a time of extreme housing
shortage. A similar approach risks repeating these outcomes and discouraging future housing
development, ultimately worsening affordability for the very residents we seek to help.
To best ser e those impacted by Operation Metro Surge, Minnesota should prioritize housing
stability for nants while ensuring property owners can continue providing housing. This can be
most effectiv ly achieved through the rapid passage of Emergency Rental Assistance funding,
distributed to cities for allocation to eligible service providers, similar to the LAHA and SAHA
models.
Sincerel
ayor a Ho and
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street • Edina, Minnesota 55424
www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861
EDINA
Resolution 2026-07: Urging the State of Minnesota to
swiftly approve Emergency Rental Assistance funding in
MINNESOTA response to Operation Metro Surge
Whereas, Operation Metro Surge has created widespread fear and uncertainty among
Minnesota residents, including those living and working in the City of Edina; and
Whereas, hospitals, schools, and the construction and service industries have reported
that individuals are sheltering at home rather than risking unwarranted arrest or
detention, resulting in lost wages and financial instability; and
Whereas, many vulnerable households are now facing an untenable choice between
risking detention by going to work or risking eviction by remaining home without income,
a circumstance not of their own making; and
Whereas, housing stability is essential to the health, safety, and well-being of residents
and the broader community; and
Whereas, Emergency Rental Assistance provides a balanced approach by assissting in
stabilizing households while ensuring property owners can continue to operate, maintain,
and provide housing; and
Whereas, cities and nonprofit organizations with demonstrated experience are well
positioned to distribute Emergency Rental Assistance efficiently and equitably, consistent
with prior state-administered programs such as LAHA and SAHA;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Edina, Minnesota, that the
City strongly urges the Governor of Minnesota and the Minnesota Legislature to approve
Emergency Rental Assistance funding as quickly as possible to address housing instability
resulting from Operation Metro Surge; and
Be it further resolved that the City encourages the distribution of such funding to cities
and qualified nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise to ensure timely and
effective rental assistance to impacted households; and
Be it further resolved that the City of Edina directs the City Manager to transmit this
resolution to Governor Tim Walz and appropriate state officials.
Date: February 4, 2026
iso ity Clerk
Att
Sh.Fon‘TPIPP:sir, City Clerk James B. Hovland, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN )SS
CITY OF EDINA
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina, do hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of Resolution 2026-07 which was duly
adopted by the Edina City Council at its regular meeting of February 4, 2026, and that the
same is on file and on record in my office.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 9th day of February,