Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting Date: October 20, 2026
To: Members of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
From: Scott Wopata, Community Development Director
Emery John, Interim Program Coordinator
Title
Staff Updates
Body
Action Requested:
N/A
Summary Report:
Community Land Trust
Scott Wopata is participating in conversations surrounding the emerging collaborative work to form a Community Land Trust in Rice County. The City of Northfield and the HRA will eventually need to consider participating.
No financial commitments have been made at this time.
Staff will continue to monitor and will bring information for discussion and decision when appropriate.
Stepping away from property ownership
The HRA has been selling or transferring properties over the past 5 years to ensure that housing units are put to better use by partners and members of the community.
This reflects a strategic direction to offload property management so that staff and resources could be more focused on larger projects and initiatives.
One example of this is the sale of 517 Washington St to CAC after years of leasing it to CAC or Three Rivers while the HRA maintained the responsibility of property management.
After an extensive listing period over the course of the last year, the HRA finally sold 2330 Elianna Drive on September 16, 2026 with final sale price of $273,000. It was purchased for about $120,000 in 2009.
2330 Elianna Drive is the final “rental” property owned and operated by the HRA.
The HRA does still own two “vacant” homes on 2nd St and on Cherry St.
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program
Another DPA was awarded in July, representing another household who has been able to relocate to Northfield and purchase a townhome.
The DPA program continues to prioritize more equitable access to the benefits of homeownership in Northfield.
Looking Forward to 2027
Reviewing and realigning the responsibilities and powers of the HRA with the EDA
Upcoming grant ...
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