Rep. Ilhan Omar Announces "Funding Fridays," A Social Media Campaign to Spotlight Community-Centered Projects in Minnesota's 5th District

March 15, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, MN–Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) announced a new initiative called "Funding Fridays" to highlight the over $54,519,003 in funding for community-based projects she has secured for Minnesota’s 5th District. Starting today, Rep. Omar will highlight a different 5th District project each Friday that she secured funding for through the appropriations process.

The first project to be highlighted will be the Robin Hotel renovation that will house up to 16 veterans upon completion. The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is the recipient of the funds and sponsor of the project. Last November, Rep. Omar presented project leaders with a check for $750,000 to turn the former Robin Hotel at 41st and Hubbard Avenues into housing units for veterans who are experiencing homelessness.

You can view the first social media post for #FundingFridays here.

"Delivering meaningful investments directly to our communities is one of the most rewarding parts of my job," said Rep. Omar. "With over $54 million for 40 transformative projects in the Fifth District, we are planting seeds for a brighter future focused on affordable housing, environmental justice, economic opportunity, and more. I want to express my deep gratitude to all the advocates and organizations, as well as Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, who partnered with our office to make their visions a reality. Their passion and expertise were critical in securing this funding. I can’t wait for constituents to see the local impact of our federal work in Washington every week with this new social media campaign."

Projects secured by Rep. Omar include:

FY 2024

$400,000 for the City of Columbia Heights Sanitary Sewer Lining
$1,000,000 for the City of Hilltop Emergency Tornado Shelter
$1,616,279 for the Three Rivers Park District Sochacki Park Water Quality and Recreation Improvements
$1,000,000 for the Isuroon Building Renovation Project
$1,000,000 for People Serving People’s Elevator Modernization Project for Families Experiencing Homelessness and Disability
$850,000 for the City of Minneapolis 38th St and Chicago Ave Affordable Housing Project
$850,000 for the City of Minneapolis Farmers Market Sustainable Modernization Project
$850,000 for the Avivo Buildings Capital Improvements
$850,000 for the Little Earth of United Tribes Rehabilitation Project
$632, 500 for the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center Centennial Investment Project
$500,000 for the RS EDEN Lorraine Apartments Affordable Housing Project
$750,000 for the Hennepin County Emergency Shelter Program
$1,000,000 for the Mni Sota Fund Indigenous Wealth Building Center
$500,000 for the Afghan Cultural Society of MN’s Refugee Support Hub
$1,000,000 for the CAPI USA Immigrant Opportunity Center Expansion in Brooklyn Center

FY 2023

$3,000,000 for the Avenues for Youth Housing and Headquarters
$600,000 for the Roots Community Birth Center Birth Center Improvement Project
$1,000,000 for the Cedar Riverside People's Center for Clinic Facilities and Equipment Improvements
$2,856,224 for SEWA’s Establishing Safe Refuge to South-Asian Diasporic Communities in Minnesota
$514,000 for Accessible Space, Inc.’s Low-Income Housing Improvements for Persons with Disabilities in Minneapolis, Golden Valley, and St. Anthony
$3,000,000 for the St. Louis Park Multifamily Land Trust for Affordable Housing
$1,000,000 for the Native American Community Clinic’s Housing and Clinic Expansion Project
$1,000,000 for a New Facility for Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA)
$1,000,000 for the Northside Food Access and Distribution Project of Shiloh Cares and Camden Promise Food Shelves
$750,000 for Youth Farm’s Northside Youth Greenhouse
$3,000,000 for the Perspectives Inc Family Center Renovation
$750,000 for MACV’s Renovation of the Robin Hotel to Affordable Housing for Veterans
$2,500,000 for the Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments
$750,000 for the Southside Village Boys Girls Club Expansion
$3,000,000 for Richfield’s Wood Lake Nature Center Building Projec

FY 2022

$1,000,000 for NEON’s Food Entrepreneur Incubator
$1,800,000 for the City of Minneapolis’ Wadaag Commons Affordable Housing Project
$500,000 for Sabathani Community Center’s Building Revitalization Project
$2,000,000 for the Minneapolis Park Board’s North Commons Regional Vision
$3,000,000 for the Minneapolis American Indian Center’s Renovation Project
$2,000,000 for Fire Protection Upgrades in High-Rise Public Housing
$1,000,000 for COPAL and ACER’s Workers Centers
$1,000,000 for Renewable Energy Partners workforce training related to clean energy and green building
$100,000 for the City of Brooklyn Center’s Health on the Go Initiative
$4,600,000 for Rebuilding the Hennepin Healthcare East Lake Clinic

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