Motion approving appointment to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee membership.

Motion approving appointment.

The EDA identified the need to establish a local Housing Trust Fund during the development of the Affordable Housing Action Plan and established an ordinance for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund on August 26, 2024. The ordinance set the purpose and intent of the AHTF to encourage the creation of affordable housing for renters and homeowners, promote the preservation of affordable housing resources, prevent and end homelessness, and provide rental assistance. Other ordinance components include a description of funding sources, a determination of funding use, and the distribution of funds.

Blue Earth County EDA and the Mankato EDA desired to cooperatively establish goals, policies and programs for affordable housing in Blue Earth County. A Memorandum of Understanding was to establish and formalize a framework for collaboration and coordination to improve efficiency and outcomes related to affordable housing in Blue Earth County. The memorandum laid out the shared decision-making between both EDAs and the work of an advisory committee. 

Staff solicited interest from community stakeholders to be considered for membership of the AHTF Advisory Committee. Members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. All terms are staggered and expire on June 30 of the year in which the term expired. 

In April, staff recommended Christine Wilking with the Mayo Clinic Foundation. She notified staff she was not able to participate on the committee at this time. Staff recommend Cory Merrill with Pioneer Bank for appointment to the AHTF Advisory Committee.
                 
The requested action is a motion to appoint Cory Merrill to the HTF Advisory Committee as presented.