We published a story today about an exciting housing project in Stevens Square at the Lydia Apartments, which will expand to serve an additional 40 people. Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative and Avivo are teaming up in an effort to house people suffering from chronic homelessness. They shared some great details with us about the opposition they faced when it was originally built and the support they are receiving now.

This isn't the only exciting new housing project happening in the neighborhood. Hennepin County is adding more deeply affordable housing units, focused on Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing, which used to be a much larger part of our housing mix.  When we got rid of it, "What that results in was a loss of this deeply affordable housing option for people who have very low incomes."

Want to get caught up on all of our interviews with local political figures? Check out the "Interviews" page on our website.

Melody was on the WedgeLive podcast and 88.5 FM in the past week. She talked a bunch about her work with Southwest Voices and shared a number of things she's learned out the Hennepin redesign in the 88.5 interview.

LINK ROUNDUP

Wastewater data from the Met Council is showing that the Twin Cities may already be past its COVID peak. (Axios Twin Cities)

3500 Hennepin County social services workers are threatening to go on strike starting Feb. 2. (Minnesota Reformer)

Kacey Musgraves popped into hunt & gather to see their collection of magical treasures at 50th and Xerxes before her concert last night. (Axios Twin Cities)

More details on the development going in at 3536 Nicollet Ave S. (The Development Tracker)

Why Minneapolis is about to start adding a ton of sunlight each day in the next couple weeks. (MPR)

After an extensive renovation, Greenway Dental on 24th and Lyndale officially opened back up this week. (Instagram)

COMMUNITY ACTION ‍

You might qualify for assistance from the state with your energy bills. Check out the limits and apply here.

Join the Armatage Reading Circle. Their next book is The Overstory, by Richard Powers, which you should read no matter where you live, unless you hate trees, in which case we'd appreciate it if you would unsubscribe immediately.

OUT & ABOUT

‍Join a forest bathing winter walk in Theodore Wirth Park from 1-3 p.m. today. If you miss it, there are sessions on Feb. 2, Feb. 24, and Mar. 2.