Meeting Date: July 6, 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. Staff has also provided NCF with a list of vacant land in the City that also might be suitable for a development such as this. There is one particular parcel that the NCF architect has identified as being of optimal topography and location. Staff will be reaching out to the landowner.
NCF scheduled a tour with Schult Homes (now owned by Coventry Homes) in Red Wood Falls for Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Summary of the tour has been included with this packet.
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 has been postponed again and it is anticipated that the move will occur before September 1.
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 and has reached out to Growing up Healthy.
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. Negotiations are on-going.
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. Property was assessed for asbestos. Remediation will need to occur and will be scheduled to happen in the near future.
Previously identified potential tax forfeitures: Rice County Property Tax notified staff in January 2023 of the potential of 5 residential tax forfeitures in Northfield. All but 1 property has been able to pay the property taxes in full. The remaining property owner has reached out to the HRA inquiring as to the level of interest that the HRA has to acquire the property. This property is similar to the Linden Street property that the HRA recently purchased. This property was built in 1910, is a ¼ acre, and will be a tear down- the Building Department has been working with the homeowner for over a year. Staff potentially will be bringing forward a Purchase Agreement at a later date.
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 able to share the Fair Housing statement that the joint HRA/HCA committee prepared with the HRC at their regular June 28. 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 at an upcoming meeting.
Phase II of Rental License Ordinance Update
Update is included in this packet.
Interns
Community Development staff are hosting 3 interns that started on June 12. The CD department has worked with facilities and IT to ensure space and tech is available. City Planning interns are Ayanna and Jake and the HRA intern is Molly. Please say ‘hi’ when you see them around.
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:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A