Merrick Community Services

Give to the Max for Housing Security

While housing affordability is always an ongoing challenge for many Merrick families, we are in a crisis right now that has created an unprecedented challenge for us and we are dedicating our Give to the Max campaign to raising a special Housing Security Fund to help families avoid eviction, homelessness, and further debt burden. 

Here’s what’s happening: Merrick staff are currently working with just over 40 families who have fallen behind on rent during the COVID pandemic due to job losses and illness, and there are very few resources available to help them avoid the next steps of eviction and homelessness. COVID disproportionately impacted underserved people of color, sadly continuing to reflect underlying racial disparities on the East Side. The eviction moratorium and other supports put in place during the pandemic have expired, and now many are facing the threat of eviction, owing thousands of dollars of back rent. One of those families is Toni, a single mother with two kids living in a rental unit on the East Side. She was forced out of stable housing initially due to domestic violence and had struggled to keep current on her rent. View her story of success below. 

The COVID protections were helpful, but as they have now ended, Merrick participants need some support to pay off back rent and stay current! Your contributions during Give to the Max 2022 will help our low-income tenants address their debt and stabilize their long-term housing needs.  

Contributions during Give to the Max 2022 will be matched dollar for dollar by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation which generously supports Merrick’s work in all ways and is currently helping us focus attention on East Side Saint Paul housing needs.

We so appreciate your help and support!