NREEC Highlights for 2021-22
Updated City Rental Ordinances
The City Council adopted updated rental ordinances in early 2022 that were tied to the City’s strategic plan and efforts to improve the availability of affordable housing. Ordinance changes also intended to reduce costs for renters and make it easier for them to safely report concerns or violations.
This video summarizes the changes adopted so far.
Viking Terrace Residents’ Association
NREEC partners supported the formation of the Viking Terrace Residents’ Association – a first-ever resident-run leadership body in Northfield’s largest low-income mobile home neighborhood. Residents and supporters have successfully advocated for clarified lease agreements and have assisted neighbors to avoid eviction when the mobile home park changed owners in August 2022.
Find a related news article here.
Mobile Home Rehabilitation
City of Northfield, Rice County, Growing Up Healthy, Community Action Center, Allina Health Clinic and other partners allocated donations and grant funding to launch the Mobile Home Rehabilitation Coordinator initiative in May 2022. A trained mobile home inspector has been hired to work alongside residents, licensed contractors, and community-based organizations to assist with repair and weatherization projects to improve the safety and energy efficiency of mobile homes in Northfield. This effort will directly impact the health and well-being of the 180 young children and school-age youth living in mobile home neighborhoods, nearly all of whom are Hispanic and qualify for free- or reduced-price meals.
Diversity and Inclusion Customer Service Training
Northfield business owners, managers, and employees attended a free customer service training in early August 2022 that focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The training was based on the results of a city-wide survey conducted by the NREEC during spring 2022 and was sponsored by the City of Northfield, Northfield Hospital + Clinics, Carleton College and Healthy Community Initiative.
Northfield Shares Diversity Training
Northfield Shares and the Northfield Area Family YMCA hosted a diversity training in June 2022. Twenty-nine community leaders, staff, and youth from 14 organizations participated. The conversation focused on how people can make positive changes in Northfield in these areas: health care access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, and economic stability.
