Meeting Date: December 5, 2024
To: Members of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Northfield Union of Youth Update.
Body
Action Requested:
Executive Director Kelli Podracky will provide an update on the Northfield Union of Youth’s Wallflower Project.
Summary Report:
The HRA’s mission is to be a partner in providing a sufficient supply of affordable, adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings in Northfield. Our goal is to create a community with housing opportunities available along the entire housing spectrum: from renters to homeownership, first-time homeowners, to senior living, workforce housing and empty nesters. We strive to create affordable housing opportunities and strengthen our neighborhoods utilizing sustainability, innovation, partnerships and community input.
The mission of Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) is to provide power and voice to youth through the creation of a caring and enriching community. NUY has extended outreach beyond their primary space at The Key by housing young people in emergency shelters and in a host home family model through the NUY Wallflower Project. The Wallflower Project began in the fall of 2017 and provides homeless youth with counseling and safe shelter and education and support to host families. NUY employs five full-time employees including: Executive Director, Youth Center Coordinator, Mental Health Coordinator, Housing Coordinator and an Arts Coordinator.
The Wallflower Project receives its primary funding through the MN State Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). In past years, NUY has used the annual HRA contribution to leverage additional funding from OEO. The Northfield HRA has been a supportive partner since the program’s inception in 2017.
|
Year |
HRA contribution |
|
2017 |
$25,639 additional funds for start-up costs |
|
2018 |
$9,000 |
|
2019 |
$15,000 |
|
2020 |
$15,000 |
|
2021 |
$15,000 |
|
2022 |
$20,000 |
|
2023 |
$20,000 |
|
2024 |
$20,000 |
|
2025* |
$20,000 |
|
Total |
$119,639 |
* 2025 amount has been budgeted; not yet allocated.
The HRA Board will have the opportunity to vote on a Resolution allocating funds to the NUY in a separate action.
Alternative Options:
Fund part of the $20,000 during the 2025 budget cycle for the Wallflower Project or suspend funding the organization. The NUY would then need to decrease funding for other youth programs to continue the program. The NUY utilizes the HRA contribution to leverage, attract and continue additional OEO grant funds and community contributions. Decreasing the HRA contribution could negatively affect the other sources of funding.
Financial Impacts:
HRA financial support to the NUY for the Wallflower Project through this grant has been consistently included in the HRA’s annual budgeting process since its inception. The funds allocated to the Wallflower Project could be allocated to other initiatives.
Tentative Timelines: N/A