Meeting Date: June 1, 2023
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:
Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
NCF and Community Development staff have been working together to come up with a feasible neighborhood design and concept plan for the HRA/City owned land at Southbridge. We are exploring possible land swaps in order to improve flow, neighborhood connectivity, and the feeling of place. Staff has been getting inquiries from neighbors to the north of Aspen park.
NCF has scheduled a tour with Schult Homes (now owned by Coventry Homes) in Red Wood Falls for Wednesday, June 21, 2023. The time of the tour is not yet known. Information will be provided as soon as there is more to give.
Staff participated in a webinar sponsored by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy called Let Manufactured Homes In: Removing Regulatory Barriers to Manufactured Housing. <https://www.lincolninst.edu/courses-events/events/2023-04-let-manufactured-homes-in-removing-regulatory-barriers-manufactured-housing>
Coventry Homes was a presenter.
Affordable Housing
City Planning and HRA staff met with a developer with a purchase agreement for a property that they would like to develop an affordable housing neighborhood. Project design and incentives were discussed. Developer will be seeking TIF if they proceed with the purchase and development.
Waterford Township Hall Move
Xcel Energy will be taking down powerlines in order to facilitate the moving of Waterford Township Hall from north of Northfield south on Hwy 3 to the fairgrounds. There will be interruption to electric services during this time to homes in higher areas of concentrated poverty.
This move is tentatively going to occur one of the last 2 weekends in June.
Manufactured Home Communities
The HRA recently reimbursed CAC for emergency manufactured home repairs. There is approximately $40,000 remaining of HRA designated funds for emergency manufactured home repairs. Staff is keeping both HCI and CAC apprised of the amount remaining.
HRA Properties
Rentals: Staff is working with an HRA tenant family that is interested in purchasing their home. HRA board previously established a starting negotiating point at the 2023 estimated market value as established by Rice County. Title work has been requested in preparation of the sale and a draft purchase agreement is in the possession of the tenant. The second HRA tenant family has asked for an extension. Staff has informed the family that in order to entertain an extension, they must speak with a loan officer and establish a reasonable timeframe for when they would be mortgage ready.
Linden Street Property: Staff has obtained demolition bids and a deconstruction bid. Due to the cost of deconstruction (over twice as much as the lowest demo bid), staff will be moving forward with demolition.
Rental Assistance
Staff has been working with Rice County HRA to develop rental programming and landlord incentives to encourage acceptance of rental assistance in Northfield.
Training
Minnesota National Association of Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) is offering an online training series specifically for Housing Authority Commissioners. The online Commissioner Series will feature five sessions (four that are applicable to Northfield HRA) that cover the multifaceted role of a commissioner in an easy to access online format. (Att. 1)
Each session will be 90 minutes on the last Wednesday of every other month beginning in March. The 2nd Floor Training room has been reserved for these dates.
• March 29, 11:30-1:00- The Role of the Commissioner in the HRA’s Success- completed
• May 31, 11:30-1:00- The Role of the Commissioner in Agency Policies & Performance
• July 26, 11:30-1:00- The Role of the Commissioner in Agency Financials & Oversight
• September 27, 11:30-1:00- The Role of the Commissioner in ED Hiring, Compensation, Performance & Succession Planning
• November 29, 11:30-1:00- The Role of the Commissioner in the HRA’s Future
Please let HRA Staff if you are interested in attending the next session.
City of Northfield Fair Housing Statement
Staff was not able to share the Fair Housing statement that the joint HRA/HCA committee prepared with the HRC at their regular May 24 meeting due to the meeting having been canceled due to lack of quorum. Staff has been worked with the Communications Department in setting up a Fair Housing page on the City’s website to become “live” once Council has approved it.
Phase II of Rental License Ordinance Update
Administration, Community Development and HRA Staff provided updates and information to the city attorney. Phase II has been delayed in part to the issues that needed to be addressed at Viking Terrace. Admin/CD/HR is working with city attorney to prepare a packaged draft of the changes go to HRA for input prior to Council in the third quarter of 2023. It is anticipated that draft policy will be presented at August 2023 HRA meeting.
Intern
Community Development staff will be hosting 3 interns beginning June 12. The CD department has been working with facilities and IT to ensure space and tech is available. City Planning will have two (2) interns and HRA will have one (1).
Rice County Project-Based Voucher Waiting List for Spring Creek II Townhomes
The Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) will be accepting applications for Spring Creek II Townhomes in Northfield, opening at 8:00 a.m. on April 25, 2023. Applications will be available in the HRA office on or the website at <https://www.ricecountymn.gov/327/Housing>
The HRA has openings for 16 townhomes; three-bedroom and four-bedroom units are available. Application will only be accepted from families eligible for the Rice County residency preference and will only be accepted from families who qualify for three or four bedrooms. Applicants on waiting lists for other housing programs must apply separately for this program. Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations in completing an application may call the HRA at 507-333-3787 to make special arrangements.
The housing office will request documentation of the residency preference at the time applications are submitted. Applications from non-Rice County residents will not be accepted.
This is a federally funded housing assistance program. Mixed-citizenship status families are welcome and encouraged to apply. Assistance will be prorated based on eligible family members.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timelines:
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