Gail Gets Results


Ending homelessness  

  • Developed Heading Home Hennepin, the City-County ten year plan to end homelessness 
  • Started Project Homeless Connect events in 2005
  • Expanded homelessness prevention and rapid exit programs
  • Created new housing initiatives geared towards people experiencing homelessness

Creating affordable housing                                     

  • Created Affordable Housing Incentive Fund to preserve and create more than 4,000 affordable housing opportunities
  • Provided leadership to ensure that Transit Oriented Development Fund aligns housing opportunities along transit lines

Addressing housing foreclosure

  • Provided funding for foreclosure counseling through the Homeownership Center
  • Supported neighborhoods hit hardest by foreclosure with programs helping families get back on their feet

Creating transit opportunities

  • A strong proponent of diversified transit, Gail has led the development of a regional transit system
  • Led multi-year planning effort in support of Southwest Light Rail Transit
  • Supported Hiawatha and Central LRT, NorthStar Commuter Rail, and the Minneapolis Transit Interchange
  • Advocated for bike and pedestrian trails including Southwest corridor and Midtown Greenway  

Improving our roads for businesses, residents, bikers and walkers             

  • Promoted a "Complete Streets" approach -- worked with residents and businesses on the design and reconstruction of Lake Street, Lyndale Avenue, 50th St West, Minnetonka Boulevard, and Excelsior Boulevard to promote multimodal transportation and vehicle and pedestrian safety

Expanding access to mental health care                      

  • Advocated for mental health reform as a Member of the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group (MMHAG)
  • Improving access to mental health services through school-based mental health care
  • Continually working to remove the stigma of mental illness

Helping youth in trouble 

  • Pushed for initiatives that now offer alternatives to youth incarceration,helpingyouth turn their lives around by positively reengaging them with their community

Eliminating second-hand smoke

  • Co-authored the bill to create the Hennepin County Smoking Ban, leading the way for a state-wide smoking ban