NENA News, May 2019

Mapping Prejudice: A History of Racial Covenants in the Nokomis area

Although discriminatory racial practices in Minneapolis housing have been illegal for many years, the racial covenant language still exists in many Nokomis area deeds.

Join Nokomis East Neighborhood Association and Hale Page Diamond Lake Association for an evening with Mapping Prejudice, University of Minnesota based project focused on visualizing racial covenants in the Twin Cities. Learn from Mapping Prejudice about their work, racial covenant history in the Nokomis area, and how you can remove any remaining covenant language from your deed.

The event will be hosted on May 21 from 6:30-8pm at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, 5011 S. 31st Ave.

Rain Garden Grant Lottery

Nokomis East residents, enter to receive a custom rain garden from Metro Blooms for less than half the price through the NENA Rain Garden Grant Lottery! Rain Gardens are not only a beautiful landscaping feature, but they can also reduce standing water in your yard, reduce mosquito breeding, filter out pollutants, and protect local lakes and streams. Fifteen garden grants are available for residents in the Nokomis East neighborhoods, and five are available for residents with homes within the Lake Nokomis watershed. A randomized selection of recipients for each category will be drawn on the day after registrations are due on June 14. Contact Program and Communication Manager Lauren Hazenson at 612-724-5652 for further information or to register.

Nokomis East Garage Sale

Garage-salers in the Nokomis East area are invited to register their sale on the Nokomis East website, starting May 1. Last year over 100 sales took part in at the all-day event, which draws bargain hunters from all over the metro area. The garage sale itself will be June 15 from 8am-4pm.

Curb Appeal Matching Grant Lottery

The deadline to enter The Curb Appeal Matching Grant Lottery is May 15. Nokomis East residents are encouraged to sign up and get their upcoming exterior home project entered to win a matching grant up to $500. Winners will be announced right before Memorial Day Weekend to start your summer off right. Visit www.nokomiseast.org for more information and to register.

Loan programs

NENA offers two home improvement loan programs for homes in the Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park and Wenonah neighborhoods. Loan applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.

Home Improvement Loans

Did you know that the NENA Home Improvement Loans also cover large energy efficiency home improvements like solar panels? These loans also cover most permanent home improvements. Call the Center for Energy and Environment at 612-335-5884 for more details on project eligibility. Owners of one to four unit residences can apply for up to $15,000 to make improvements to their properties. Owner-occupants and investors may also apply. The interest rate is either 3.5% or 4.5% depending on income. No income restrictions apply.

Emergency Repair Loans

A limited amount of funds are available for emergency repairs. Only owner-occupied households are eligible. Income restrictions apply. The maximum loan amount is $7,500. The loan is 0% interest, and there are no monthly payments. The loan is due in total upon the sale of the property or transfer of title.

How to apply

For more information or to request an application, call the Center for Energy and Environment at 612-335-5884, or visit www.mncee.org/find-financing-incentives/home-improvement-loan-program.

Upcoming meetings and events:

5/1/19, 6:30pm: NENA Housing, Commercial, and Streetscape Committee, NENA Office, 4313 E. 54th St.

5/7/19, 6:30pm: NEBA Annual Meeting, McDonald’s Liquor Event Space, 5010 34th Ave. S.

5/8/19, 6:30pm: NENA Green Initiatives Committee, NENA Office

5/21/19, 6:30pm: Mapping Prejudice: A History of Racial Covenants in the Nokomis Area, Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, 5011 S. 31st Ave.