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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Item No: 4.A.
Economic Development Authority
- Meeting Date:
- 08/10/2026
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership for the administration of the Continuum of Care Program.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
HUD Continuum of Care funds are designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and supports partnerships between local governments/public housing agencies and non-profits to serve a population that has traditionally been hard to reach. Specifically, those who are homeless with disabilities such as serious mental illness or chronic substance abuse. 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 Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) work together to provide rental assistance and supportive services to assist eight (8) DedicatedPLUS households in finding and maintaining permanent affordable housing.
DedicatedPLUS is a permanent supportive housing (PH-PSH) project to serve individuals and families that meet one of the following criteria at project entry:
Sponsor Based Continuum of Care Programs can use project-based vouchers at sponsor properties within the EDA service area and specifically the city of Mankato. SWMHP is the Sponsor owning Cherry Ridge Apartments, Sibley Parkway Apartments and Homestead Apartments. The Continuum of Care program has been tied to the redevelopment of Cherry Ridge Apartments but can include other locations as needed.
HUD requires a memorandum of understanding detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Mankato EDA, as grantee, and the SWMHP, as a non-profit housing sponsor/owner and supportive service provider, in meeting the specific requirements of the Continuum of Care Program detailed in 24 CFR Part 578 - Continuum of Care Program.
The EDA, in providing the match of eight project-based vouchers, uses its Administrative Plan to provide guidance on policies and procedures for administration of the Continuum of Care Cherry Ridge Program with specific guidance from regulations in 24CFR 578. Where no specific guidance was provided, procedures and practice have been followed as identified in the Administrative Plan. A program exhibit for the program is attached to the Administrative Plan that includes specific policies and procedures unique to the regulations in 24CFR 578.
The exhibit requires eligibility and homeless status documentation procedurally presented specific to federal regulations, outlines case management for persons experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness, it addresses the need for appeals and grievances through an informal review and hearing process, as well as procedures to ensure compliance with housing quality standards and lead safety practices.
The EDA is being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with SWMHP for the administration of the Continuum of Care Program.
DedicatedPLUS is a permanent supportive housing (PH-PSH) project to serve individuals and families that meet one of the following criteria at project entry:
- Residing in a transitional housing project that will be eliminated and meets the definition of chronically homeless in effect at the time in which the individual or family entered the transitional housing project;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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
- 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.
Sponsor Based Continuum of Care Programs can use project-based vouchers at sponsor properties within the EDA service area and specifically the city of Mankato. SWMHP is the Sponsor owning Cherry Ridge Apartments, Sibley Parkway Apartments and Homestead Apartments. The Continuum of Care program has been tied to the redevelopment of Cherry Ridge Apartments but can include other locations as needed.
HUD requires a memorandum of understanding detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Mankato EDA, as grantee, and the SWMHP, as a non-profit housing sponsor/owner and supportive service provider, in meeting the specific requirements of the Continuum of Care Program detailed in 24 CFR Part 578 - Continuum of Care Program.
The EDA, in providing the match of eight project-based vouchers, uses its Administrative Plan to provide guidance on policies and procedures for administration of the Continuum of Care Cherry Ridge Program with specific guidance from regulations in 24CFR 578. Where no specific guidance was provided, procedures and practice have been followed as identified in the Administrative Plan. A program exhibit for the program is attached to the Administrative Plan that includes specific policies and procedures unique to the regulations in 24CFR 578.
The exhibit requires eligibility and homeless status documentation procedurally presented specific to federal regulations, outlines case management for persons experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness, it addresses the need for appeals and grievances through an informal review and hearing process, as well as procedures to ensure compliance with housing quality standards and lead safety practices.
The EDA is being asked to adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to enter into a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with SWMHP for the administration of the Continuum of Care Program.