Meeting Date: June 6, 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
Attachment 1 is a summary of the table discussions and Attachment 2 are the handwritten questions that took place on February 29, 2024 at Northfield Middle School.
The City Building/Inspections Department, HRA, Community Development, and Communications are working together with HCI, TRCA and CAC on communications and information for an upcoming City-led physical assessment of homes in both manufactured home communities in Northfield. Assessments will begin in mid-June and will be completed by the end of August. There will be a joint Viking Terrace and Riverside Manufactured Home Community meeting with city staff and representatives from HCI on Wednesday, June 5, 5:00PM-7:00PM to explain to the residents the process that will be followed and provide resources (HRA Manufactured Home Rehab forgivable loan program, HCI/CAC Emergency Manufactured Home Repair Program, MHFA Weatherization and Repair Programs available through TRCA) to help address required repairs.
The HRA has partnered with the Northfield Library to bring a hands-on workshop on repairing and restoring old windows on Saturday, June 8, 10:00AM-1:00PM at the library. This workshop is brought to you by the Education program at Rethos, a Minnesota-based Historic Preservation non-profit, and through funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s GreenStep Cities program. The Rethos Education program is also funded in part by the Arts & Cultural Legacy Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.This workshop is part of the city’s strategic goals of creating a community that is resilient and sustainable, and improving housing quality throughout the city.
The City of Northfield was recently named to Money Magazine’s list of The 50 Best Places to Live in the US. Attachment 3.
Phase II Rental License Updates
The 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session ended without a House Bonding Bill being passed- meaning that important policies, such as Source of Income Protections, will need to be picked up at the municipal level. Community Development staff is working with Administration on updating and adding ordinances relating to housing. The HRA and Planning Commission will be asked to review proposed ordinance and provide feedback prior to adoption by the City Council. Contemplated ordinance changes include: Point of Sale Inspection (manufactured homes only), Limitation on Rental Properties in Low Density Neighborhoods, Inclusionary Zoning, Short-term Rental Ordinance, Source of Income Protection, and Tenant Protection Ordinance.
Properties
Separate update provided in packet.
Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
Separate update provided in packet.
Local Housing Trust Fund
No new update.
Manufactured Home Communities
In September 2022, the HRA allocated $50,000 to Manufactured Home Emergency Repairs and to be made available to CAC and HCI on a reimbursement basis. To date, the HRA has reimbursed $35,000 in total and is processing an additional reimbursement request. HCI anticipates that they will be submitting reimbursement requests for the remaining $10,000.
Down Payment Assistance
No new update, enough 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.
Housing Coordinator attended MN National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) May 20-22 at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids Minnesota. Staff participated in multiple housing authority roundtable discussions, use of plain language in writing session, and legislative updates.
Staff has been asked to coordinate and lead the June SE MN NAHRO meeting at the City of Mankato. Suggested topics include State and Federal Legislative updates and program impacts, HOTMA, NSPIRE, and landlord engagement.
SE MN Together Housing Action Team Meeting
Staff has been asked to participate in SE MN Together’s Housing Action Team. Team meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 8:00am-9:00am. The SE MN Together Housing Tour is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024 with a focus on southern MN including Austin and Albert Lea. Staff has also been asked to participate in the SE MN Together Welcoming Communities Action Team.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timelines:
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