Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest MN Housing Partnership and Blue Earth County Human Services for the administration of Continuum of Care funding at Cherry Ridge Apartments.

Adoption of the attached Resolution.

This memorandum of understanding details the roles and responsibilities of the grantee: Mankato Economic Development Authority; a non-profit housing sponsor: Cherry Ridge Apartments, owned by the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership; and a service provider: Blue Earth County Human Services; in meeting the specific requirements of the Continuum of Care Program as detailed in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant agreements and in 24 CFR Part 578 - Continuum of Care Program  for Cherry Ridge Apartments in Mankato, Minnesota.  

The program was built on the premise that housing and services need to be connected to ensure the stability of housing for this population. The EDA, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP), and Blue Earth County work together to provide rental assistance and supportive services using the Housing First approach to assist eight (8) DedicatedPLUS households to find and maintain permanent affordable housing.  DedicatedPLUS is a permanent supportive housing (PH-PSH) project serving individuals and families that meet one of the following criteria at project entry:

1. Experiencing chronic homelessness;
2. Residing in a transitional housing project that will be eliminated and meet the definition of chronically homeless in effect at the time in which the individual or family entered the transitional housing project;
3. Residing in a place not meant for human habitation, emergency shelter, or safe haven; but the individuals or families experiencing chronic homelessness had been admitted and enrolled in a permanent housing project within the last year and were unable to maintain a housing placement;
4. Residing in transitional housing funded by a Joint transitional housing (TH) and rapid re-housing (PH-RRH) component project and who were experiencing chronic homelessness prior to entering the project; 
5. Residing and has resided in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or emergency shelter for at least 12 months in the last three years, but has not done so on four separate occasions; or 
6. Receiving assistance through a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-funded homeless assistance program and met one of the above criteria at initial intake to the VA's homeless assistance system.

The Continuum of Care Funding provides supportive services dollars to be used at sponsor properties within the EDA service area of the City of Mankato and Blue Earth County.  SWMHP is our Sponsor, owning Cherry Ridge Apartments, Sibley Parkway Apartments and Homestead Apartments.  Primary rental assistance has been tied to the redevelopment of Cherry Ridge Apartments but can include other locations as needed. The EDA provides 8 project-based vouchers under the Housing Choice Voucher program as a program match to the Continuum of Care funding.  

The EDA is being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a renewed Memorandum of Understanding with SWMHP and Blue Earth County Human Services for the administration of the Continuum of Care grant.