2000 Best Practice Awards

2000-577 Ramsey County Family Service Center

The Ramsey County Family Service Center is a short-term transitional housing facility for families in need of temporary housing. The facility is located on county property next to the golf course in suburban Maplewood. The Family Service Center (FSC) can house up to 55 adults and children in the single-level 20,000 sq. ft. building, which includes 21 family and double occupancy sleeping rooms. The FSC includes on-site support services: a medical clinic, learning center for school-age children, a toddler activity space, a commercial kitchen, common dining for, residents' laundry and group meeting rooms. An outdoor children's play area is adjacent to the building, and in sight of the common space. The architects worked with families who have experienced homelessness and periods in transitional housing to help develop concepts to make the space feel safeand supportive for families. [Click here for more photos.]

2000-2734 TRAILS (Training & Resources to Attain Individual Long-term Success)

A collaboration effort with the Housing Authority for St, Louis Park, MN to provide individual support and counseling for low income households receiving Section 8 assistance to be become self-sufficient.

2000-3007 50/30 Minority Homeownership Marketing

The Urban Coalition of Minnesota in partnership with Dr.Myer, University of MN conducted research resulting in a publication called " A Dream Deferred: the 50/30 Housing Research Initiative." The report objectives were 1. develop a factual basis for existing low homeownership rates in the Twin cities area communities of color and 2. to detail the feasibility, cost and other factors necessary to increase the percentages of 30 year old, employed, heads of households in communities of color who are purchasing their homes , to 50 percent within the next 12 years. Participation in this research process was inclusive of private, public and non profit organizations. Center for Communication and Development (CCD)/ KMOJ a non profit established by residents of two Minneapolis Public Housing developments. CCD used KMOJ its community public radio station to advance the mandates of the 50/30 project. CCD working with a HUD Community Builder, Sherrie Pugh developed five radio announcements using real community people. the announcements addresses the perceived barriers to homeownership by minority community members.

2000-2818 MN Organizations for Fair Housing

As a State and perhaps National 1st, 10 organizations in the State of Minnesota with a commitment to Fair Housing formed a coalition to better serve the state, avoid duplication and approach issues with responsible creativity.

2000-2681 Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Rebuilding Our Own Futures (ROOF) Project
St. Paul, Minnesota

The ROOF project is an innovative transitional housing program that provides homeless families with temporary housing and supportive services.

2000-2601 Minneapolis Housing Authority Suitable Living Environments

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority Suitable Living Environments goal was to provide energy conservation measures to save energy and money for MPHA while providing enhanced resident comfort by installing Building Automation Systems, 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilets, constant air regulators in bathroom exhausts, domestic water booster pumps and other energy saving measures.

2000-2369 At Home in Duluth II

As stated in the program’s January 14, 1999, Revised Draft Concept Paper, this program is intended to ensure that Duluth’s neighborhoods are revitalized, stabilized places of choice in which to live, work, shop, and raise a family. This will be done by improving the quality of Duluth’s housing stock through renovation, selective demolition, and new construction activities. The housing will be a mixture of housing types and price ranges. The program will begin by targeting three neighborhoods: 1) Central and East Hillside/Endion, 2) Lincoln Park, and 3) West Duluth.

2000-2361 Government on Display Exposition: Mall of America

Under the direction and coordination of the Minnesota Federal Executive Board, over 50 State and Federal Agencies, comprised of more than 600 staff members provided displays, booths, the NASA Space Extravaganza, rotunda performances, military demonstrations and recruitment, seminars and a Government Career Council Center for three days in February 2000 at the Mall of America. After 9 months of preparation, the event offered over 350,000 citizens a chance to see the Government "first-hand" for three action packed days "at the Mall." The MN HUD office was responsible for Public Affairs and Promotion for the Exposition, the Career Fair, and the coordination of over 30 displays in addition to their own booth promoting Fair Housing and Home Ownership.

2000-1787 East Village South

East Village is a mixed income project that is currently under construction. It is located within five blocks of the Central Business District of Minneapolis - in the Elliot Park neighborhood. It is the first market rate rental project to be built in Elliot Park in 70 years. The neighborhood has been experiencing a revitalization in recent years and the East Village proposal is furthering this - the proposal removed blighted, substandard housing. The proposal contains two portions:

• East Village South: HUD is facilitating the building of this portion with a Section 221 (d)(3) loan. This portion contains 109 one and two bedroom units. The rents on the units are affordable to tenants at or below 80% of the area median income.
• East Village North: Conventionally financed. Contains 40 tax credit units with rents that are affordable to tenants at or below 50% of the area median income. Also contains 30 market rate units. The East Village North project would not have been feasible without the East Village South project being built.

The proposal also contains a convenience store and a Dairy Queen that will service the residents. The East Village South project has many different sources of funds as follows (tax increment financing provided by the City of Minneapolis allowed for the generation of a larger FHA Insured Mortgage): $12,236,000 FHA Insured 221(d)(3) Mortgage $293,000 Metropolitan Council - Livable Community Funds $550,000 MCDA Leverage Investment Funds $400,000 CDBG $800,000 MCDA Common Project Funds $1,819,000 Sponsor Funds

2000-1713 Skyline Towers

Skyline Towers is a 504 unit Section 236 project that contains 448 Section 8 units. It is the largest subsidized housing property west of Chicago. The property was sold to Common Bond Communities - a local non-profit agency. The project is currently undergoing a much needed $14 million renovation. The sale and renovation were financed in a number of ways. The Section 236 was stripped of its FHA Insurance, however the Interest Reduction Payments (IRP) remains with the project. The Section 236 mortgage was purchased by the City of St. Paul. The City of St. Paul used funds provided by U.S. Bank to fund this purchase. A new Section 221(d)(4) mortgage was insured by HUD in the amount of $15 million. Finally, U.S. Bank provided $10 million in tax credit equity to the transaction.

2000-1662 Archer Heights

Archer Heights is a 172 unit Section 236 project that contains 90 Section 8 units. HUD refinanced the Section 236 loan using the Section 223(a)(7) program, which allowed us to increase the remaining term by 12 years and increase the mortgage amount to the original principal amount while preserving the Interest Reduction Payments (IRP). HUD also placed a Section 241 second mortgage on the property. The additional amount of debt that we were able to support was used to cover transaction costs (the property was sold to a local entity that has experience in affordable housing) and the $4,000,000 ($23,300 per unit) in repairs that were needed on the property. Along with our mortgage insurance, $2.8 million was provided to the transaction from other funding sources. The other funds were provided by Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), Metropolitan Council, City of Minnetonka, Family Housing Fund and tax credit equity.

2000-1533 Metro Housing Options -- Minneapolis/St. Paul

Metro Housing Options(MHO)provides assistance to Section 8 participants to locate affordable housing in low-poverty neighborhoods that offer high quality housing, employment and education. The contract set forth five general goals for MHO to accomplish: (1) Expand landlord participation in the Section 8 program (2) Assist Section 8 families to move to low-poverty neighborhoods (3) Address existing barriers to mobility and choice in the Section 8 program (4) Promote greater cooperation among Section 8 programs (5) Create or strengthen an institution to administer Section 8 on a regional basis Metro Housing Options funds two Outreach Coordinators to enroll landlords, three Licensed Social Workers to counsel families and one Community Resource Specialist to provide follow-up services to families after they move.

2000-1450 Franklyn Lane Apartments

Franklyn Lane Apartments is a 66 unit Section 236 project that houses a frail elderly population. HUD refinanced the Section 236 loan using the Section 223(a)(7) program, which allowed us to increase the remaining term by 12 years and increase the mortgage amount to the original principal amount while preserving the Interest Reduction Payments (IRP). HUD also placed a Section 241 second mortgage on the property. The additional amount of debt that we were able to support was used to cover transaction costs (the property was sold to a local non-profit entity) and the $600,000 ($9,100 per unit) in repairs that were needed on the property. Along with our mortgage insurance, $1.4 million was provided to the transaction from other funding sources. The other funds were provided by a Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) uninsured loan, Affordable Rental Investment Funds (ARIF) and tax credit equity. The project did not contain any project-based Section 8 units prior to the transaction. With the transaction, project-based Section 8 assistance was added to at least 80% of the units. This ensures that the long term affordability of the Section 8 is tied to the project.

2000-1427 Morris HRA Assisted Living Program

The Morris HRA obtained a license from the MN Dept. of Health allowing the HRA to become an Assisted Living Home Care Provider. With that license, the HRA is able to hire staff and provide Assisted Living (AL) services to the elderly residents of the HRA project. Proving AL services allows elderly residents to delay nursing home placement and stay in their own apartments longer. The HRA was able to continue providing AL services without interruption.

2000-850 Minnesota Home Ownership Continuum Services

What if every homebuyer in Minnesota had access to comprehensive homebuying education and counseling. What if every homeowner knew where to call to find the information they need to be a successful homeowner and good neighbor. What if every service provider of homebuyers and homeowners could easily tap into additional resources for their customers and clients on an as needed basis. IT CAN HAPPEN. And it is in Minnesota. The Home Ownership Center in St. Paul, MN identified the need for building an integrated housing delivery partnership and is the conveyor of the initiative. The Center raised the financial resources for the planning process and provides administrative and staff support. The Center also organized the Sponsors Committee. A design team was formed to represent a geographic and professional mix who accepted the responsibility to create a homeownership services delivery model based on input from Assembly participants and ongoing feedback. The model has been developed, revealed and is in the process of implementation.

2000-2936 City of Rochester MN: "NOT IN OUR TOWN" Program

After the City of Rochester experienced a series of violent interracial incidents between young white residents and Somali refugees, 32,000 citizens of the community signed a pledge to stop racial confrontations and set a community standard, the "Not in Our Town" program was initiated to set a standard of no tolerance for violence with an emphasis on hate crimes. The program focused on middle school and high school students, and emphasized proactive techniques.

2000-350 St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership (The Partnership)

The Partnership is a regional, private, nonprofit group comprised of public and private organizations dedicated to promoting economic growth and development in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area. The Partnership works with local, regional and national entities interested in expanding or locating their business in the St. Cloud Area.

2000-2752 Minneapolis Section 3 Employment Program

Successful training and job placement of public housing and Section 8 program participants. The major accomplishment of the Minneapolis Section 3 program was the establishment of a coordinated and systematized network for recruiting, referring, training and placing residents into employment. Also, residents were counseled on income exclusion opportunities, home ownership and career planning. 42 Section 3 hires were made in 1999 26 Section 3 participants graduated from Business Development Training between 8-1-99 and April 30, 2000 76 Section 3 participants were in building trades or clerical training from the Urban League between October 1999 and February 2000.

Content Archived: April 20, 2011