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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Item No: 4.A.
Economic Development Authority
- Meeting Date:
- 03/10/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing Letter of Intent to HUD for consolidation of the Pipestone HRA Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached Resolution.
Summary:
The Mankato EDA has been requested to consider the consolidation of the Pipestone HRA's Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) made up of 53 vouchers. A consolidation with the EDA would allow these vouchers to be utilized in Pipestone County or Blue Earth County.
To consolidate these vouchers, a contractual agreement with the Pipestone HRA will be established to assist the EDA in the administration of applicants interested in vouchers in Pipestone County. The EDA will contract for services with the Pipestone HRA to conduct necessary inspections and assist in connecting with participants during the certification process, providing reasonable accommodation as needed due to the distance between our jurisdictions. Vouchers not being utilized in Pipestone will have access to the EDA’s current waitlist. A Pipestone preference would be utilized and prioritize families that could be served under contract with the Pipestone HRA.
Currently, the Mankato EDA is using 100% of the program budget for 89% of the allocated vouchers. These additional vouchers will assist the EDA in serving families on our waiting list. Currently, the Mankato EDA has 917 families on the waiting list. These additional vouchers expand affordable housing opportunities in the community and are supported by the Affordable Housing Action Plan for Blue Earth County and the Strategic Plan for the City of Mankato.
The Pipestone HRA has an allocation of 53 vouchers and has had substandard ratings for several years due to underutilization of their vouchers. They currently have 28 of the 53 leased and no one on their wait list which has been closed to allow for the transfer of the program.
In addition to considering these vouchers, the EDA has applied for 25 Bridges vouchers through MN Housing and anticipates 80 - 90 vouchers through MN Housing’s Bring It Home Voucher Program. These additional vouchers expand affordable housing opportunities in the community and are supported by the Affordable Housing Action Plan and the Strategic Plan for the city. These vouchers coordinate with local landlords to provide affordable housing options for low-income families. The EDA has staffing capacity to manage these additional vouchers.
The requested action is a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to sign a letter of intent requesting HUD to consolidate the Pipestone HRA's HCV program with the Mankato EDA's program.
To consolidate these vouchers, a contractual agreement with the Pipestone HRA will be established to assist the EDA in the administration of applicants interested in vouchers in Pipestone County. The EDA will contract for services with the Pipestone HRA to conduct necessary inspections and assist in connecting with participants during the certification process, providing reasonable accommodation as needed due to the distance between our jurisdictions. Vouchers not being utilized in Pipestone will have access to the EDA’s current waitlist. A Pipestone preference would be utilized and prioritize families that could be served under contract with the Pipestone HRA.
Currently, the Mankato EDA is using 100% of the program budget for 89% of the allocated vouchers. These additional vouchers will assist the EDA in serving families on our waiting list. Currently, the Mankato EDA has 917 families on the waiting list. These additional vouchers expand affordable housing opportunities in the community and are supported by the Affordable Housing Action Plan for Blue Earth County and the Strategic Plan for the City of Mankato.
The Pipestone HRA has an allocation of 53 vouchers and has had substandard ratings for several years due to underutilization of their vouchers. They currently have 28 of the 53 leased and no one on their wait list which has been closed to allow for the transfer of the program.
In addition to considering these vouchers, the EDA has applied for 25 Bridges vouchers through MN Housing and anticipates 80 - 90 vouchers through MN Housing’s Bring It Home Voucher Program. These additional vouchers expand affordable housing opportunities in the community and are supported by the Affordable Housing Action Plan and the Strategic Plan for the city. These vouchers coordinate with local landlords to provide affordable housing options for low-income families. The EDA has staffing capacity to manage these additional vouchers.
The requested action is a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to sign a letter of intent requesting HUD to consolidate the Pipestone HRA's HCV program with the Mankato EDA's program.