WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 12, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Funding will support safety and energy efficiency improvements for more than 2,400 units (Saint Paul, MN) Minnesota Housing approved funding awards today to make urgent safety and energy conservation improvements to the state’s aging public housing stock. These funding awards are part of the record level of support for affordable housing approved by the Legislature and Governor Dayton in the 2014 bonding bill.
Public housing is home to many families, individuals with disabilities and seniors with extremely low incomes. Most of the buildings were built in the 1970’s with financing by the federal government and are owned and operated by cities and counties. This funding will allow 35 public housing developments across the state – 9 in the metro area and 26 in Greater Minnesota – to replace original windows, boilers, elevators and other critical infrastructure items that have fallen into disrepair.
“These awards will safeguard our state’s important public housing stock for decades to come,” said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal. “Although we know the demand outweighed the available resources, this is an important step in keeping residents secure in their homes.”
Minnesota Housing received requests totaling more $54 million, three times the available funding, for 79 developments. These awards will fund 35 developments with a total of 2,438 units and add to the 2012 investment of $5.5 million to help improve similar developments. See a complete list of funding awards and a map of 2012 and 2014 locations below.
“Public housing ensures low-income seniors, families, and individuals have a safe and affordable place to call home. Public housing options are critical for communities across the state and these funds will make sure public housing, from Austin to Ely is maintained today and into future,” Randal Hemmerlin, Executive Director of the Red Wing HRA and President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
Minnesota Housing finances affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Minnesotans while fostering strong communities. Find out more at www.mnhousing.gov and follow us on Twitter @mnhousing and at www.facebook.com/minnesotahousing.
Contact: Megan Ryan, 651.297.3566
megan.ryan (at) state.mn (dot) us
