In March 2020, Mayor Carter announced the Saint Paul Bridge Fund to provide emergency relief for families and small businesses most vulnerable to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was funded through $3.25 million dollars from the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority along with contributions from philanthropic, corporate and individual donors. Through these additional contributions, the fund provided $4.1 million to families and small businesses in Saint Paul.
More than 5,200 applications applied for a family grant of $1,000
• 64% were from ACP50 areas (Areas of Concentrated Poverty where 50% or more of the residents are people of color)
The applications were reviewed in order of a random number assigned at application close. Of these applications:
• 1,265 families were awarded a $1000 grant
- 63% were from ACP50 areas
- 66% indicated they are renters
- 37% cited layoff or furlough as contributing to their economic hardship
- 22% cited reduced hours as contributing to their economic hardship
- 19% are unbanked
This is a de-identified dataset of the families who applied for the Bridge Fund and includes:
• Self-reported survey responses
• Award information
• Geographic information
Additional information about the Saint Paul Bridge Fund may be found at stpaul.gov/bridge-fund
