Meeting Date: November 7, 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
There was a Comprehensive Plan open house on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at City Hall. The open house was well attended. A Comprehensive Plan update is included in the packet.
There was a follow up meeting with the residents at Viking Terrace regarding recent property assessments and resources to address deficiencies. City staff and HCI were on hand to talk about existing financial resources to address letters of Orders to Correct. HRA and HCI formalized our partnership and understanding of roles and responsibilities with a memorandum of understanding.
Properties
307 Sumner: house was taken down on Monday, October 21.
308 Cherry/315 Linden: 308 Cherry has been winterized.
2230/2334 Elianna: rents will be raised. One tenant family continues to work with a loan officer and is continuing to pursue the purchase of the rental property that they have lived in for the past 9-years. Staff has updated the purchase agreement drafted by City Attorney in 2023. Depending on timing of the transaction, the HRA might need to have a special meeting in order to approve the sale in order for the family to close.
Southbridge: Haugo Geotechnical Services and Landmark Environmental has prepared a phase I Environmental Assessment and Geotechnical Analysis. Attachment #1 is the Phase I Environmental Assessment report. Attachment #2 is the Geotechnical Analysis.
Local Housing Trust Fund
No new update
HRA Programs
All CDBG funds for DPA have been expensed through July 2025.
There are nine (9) active rehab application loans in various stages of their projects and approvals.
Staff is preparing FY25-26 CDBG Application.
Professional Development
On Monday, October 7, staff participated in the SE MN Together Housing Tour. After starting off in Rochester with networking, stops were made in Austin, Owatonna and Clairmont, MN.
October 21, Staff participated in MHFA’s webinar regarding the Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit Program and Contribution Fund.
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, there was a Boards and Commissions Strategic Plan kickoff and Comprehensive Plan tie-in at the Northfield Community Resource Center. A video of the event will be available on the website soon and staff encourages all board members to watch.
On Thursday morning, October 24, 2024, staff participated in the quarterly SE MN National Association of Redevelopment Officials in Red Wing. In the afternoon, staff went to the Minneapolis Film Festival and viewed A Decent Home, sponsored by Northcountry Foundation Cooperative and Minnesota Housing Justice Center. The film highlights the power and importance of city zoning. Attachment #3 is MHJC’s information regarding legal rights under state law 327C. The trailer for a Decent Home here: <https://youtu.be/0K0RaYdKMiU?si=tGjuJL0XFWNuWHPh>
Housing Coordinator Hanson is participating in the Leadership in Affordable Housing Certificate program at Hamline University and has completed Course I. Course II is every other Wednesday and Thursday evenings ending December 2024.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
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Tentative Timelines:
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