Meeting Date: August 1, 2024
To: Members of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
The HRA Board shall be given an update on outstanding HRA/City and housing related items.
Body
Action Requested:
There are a number of outstanding items related to and connected to the HRA, City, and housing in the community. Below is a summary update on each item. The Board has the opportunity to discuss or ask questions about each item individually if desired.
Summary Report:
Community Engagement
The Comprehensive Plan engagement is focusing on economic and housing and have been meeting with local institutional and non-profit partners. There was a community-wide open-house on Thursday, July 25 at the Northfield Library during Crazy Daze that was well attended.
The City Building/Inspections Department has completed physical assessment of homes in both manufactured home communities in Northfield. Letters informing residents of needed repairs have all been mailed. Staff has identified 4 main issues: emergency egress lacks stairs/steps, missing/damaged skirting, improper building material (tarps, plywood, etc.) being used, and excessive storage. Staff is working to establish resources to help address issues. Suggestions include reinstituting an annual clean-up day, bulk purchases on stairs/steps and facilitating workshops on weatherization. Due to limited staff capacity, staff continues to work with HCI. Staff has reached out to Lakeshore Management about participating in their National Night Out activities and provide resources.
Housing Studies
Attachment 1 - Rice County HRA released their updated housing study.
Attachment 2 - Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies released their State of the Nation’s Housing annual report.
Attachment 3 - Northfield Racial and Ethnic Equity Collaborative’s (NREEC) Housing Solutions Team Report.
Attachment 4 - Maxfield Research and Consulting Executive Summary. Staff is working through the draft. It is anticipated that the final Housing Study will be presented in September.
Phase II Rental License Updates
Included in packet.
Properties
HRA closed 308 Cherry Street on Friday, July 26. Exploring options to relocate the house.
Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
No new update.
Local Housing Trust Fund
The LHTF subcommittee met on Wednesday, July 24.
|
Funding Source |
Amount |
|
2023 State Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) |
$75,056 |
|
2024 SAHA - 1st ½ (2nd ½ December 2024) |
$37,600 |
|
Donation |
$5,000 |
|
Total Available |
$117,656 |
Down Payment Assistance
No new update, enough CDBG funds remain for one applicant.
Interns
Housing Intern Emery John has been working diligently on is working on components of several Community Development projects including, but not limited to: PACE grant research, Land Development Code applications and updating apartment and rental listings.
Professional Development
Housing Coordinator is participating in the Leadership in Affordable Housing Certificate program at Hamline University and has completed Course I. Course II begins the last week of August ending December 2024.
SE MN Together Housing Action Team Meeting
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A