Meeting Date: December 5, 2024
To: Members of the Housing & Redevelopment Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Title
Northfield Union of Youth Update.
Body
Action Requested:
Executive Director Kelli Podracky will provide an update on the Northfield Union of Youth's Wallflower Project.
Summary Report:
The HRA's mission is to be a partner in providing a sufficient supply of affordable, adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings in Northfield. Our goal is to create a community with housing opportunities available along the entire housing spectrum: from renters to homeownership, first-time homeowners, to senior living, workforce housing and empty nesters. We strive to create affordable housing opportunities and strengthen our neighborhoods utilizing sustainability, innovation, partnerships and community input.
The mission of Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) is to provide power and voice to youth through the creation of a caring and enriching community. NUY has extended outreach beyond their primary space at The Key by housing young people in emergency shelters and in a host home family model through the NUY Wallflower Project. The Wallflower Project began in the fall of 2017 and provides homeless youth with counseling and safe shelter and education and support to host families. NUY employs five full-time employees including: Executive Director, Youth Center Coordinator, Mental Health Coordinator, Housing Coordinator and an Arts Coordinator.
The Wallflower Project receives its primary funding through the MN State Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). In past years, NUY has used the annual HRA contribution to leverage additional funding from OEO. The Northfield HRA has been a supportive partner since the program's inception in 2017.
Year
HRA contribution
2017
$25,639 additional funds for start-up costs
2018
$9,000
2019
$15,000
2020
$15,000
2021
$15,000
2022
$20,000
2023
$20,000
2024
$20,000
2025*
$20,000
Total
$119,639
* 2025 amount has bee...
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