Meeting Date: April 27, 2021
To: Members of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Staff Updates on Outstanding Items
Body
Action Requested:
The HRA Board shall be given an update on outstanding HRA items.
Summary Report:
There are a number of outstanding items related to the HRA. Below is a summary update on each item. Staff will provide an update during the meeting and the Board has the opportunity to discuss each item individually if desired.
Healthy Community Initiative
HRA Staff participated in a meeting hosted by Healthy Community Initiative (HCI). HCI, Faribault HRA, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), Riverside Mobile Home Park, and Faribault Fire Department support a Heat Tape Program for the mobile home parks in Faribault and Northfield. More information will be provided at a future date.
Aging in Place
Staff participated in a meeting hosted by Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is establishing an Aging in Place home rehab loan with funding through USDA similar to HRA’s program to begin in 2022.
Strategic Planning
Community Development staff continue to participate in City Council Strategic Planning process to help with development of 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. Housing remains a strategic priority with a focus on housing availability, various types of housing and affordability.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance
Federal Emergency Rental Assistance is now accessible to Minnesotans through MN Housing Finance Agency at www.RentHelp.MN.org <http://www.RentHelp.MN.org>.
• Assistance is for renters below 80% AMI financially impacted by COVID-19
• Each household is limited to 15 months of assistance, can retro back to March 2020
• Landlords can apply on behalf of tenants
Working Together Conference
Staff participated in the annual Working Together Conference, held virtually this year, sponsored by Minnesota Multi Housing Association, MN National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and MN Housing Finance Agency. Emphasis was on Fair Housing Rules and Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice- Effective September 8, 2021. Moratorium and “off-ramping” implications for renters and tenant protections.
CDBG Funded Programs
• Down Payment Assistance- No applications at this time. Remaining uncommitted DPA balance $29,472
• Mobile Home Rehab Program- 2 approved applicants, uncommitted fund balance $20,063.27
• Home Matters Residential Rehab- 1 approved applicant, uncommitted fund balance $21,293
• Aging in Place Modifications- no applications submitted, uncommitted fund balance $21,453 ***If eligible invoices are received for either Mobile Home Rehab or Home Matters Rehab, we are able to draw from these funds first to avoid recapture June 30, 2021
HRA Rentals
• Staff continues to explore alternative maintenance arrangements, management options, how other HRAs operate and if/how they operate rentals, and how HRA rentals fit in the City’s Strategic Plan
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A