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City Housing and Development Action in the News
Cities across the state are working with community partners and the tools available to them to create tailored housing and development solutions.
This collection of recent news clips shows the breadth and impact of work happening at the local level to address locally identified housing needs. These clips are updated periodically and are not exhaustive of all coverage or activity.
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Most recent updates
Ramstad: In Tower, Minn., a vision to quickly build sustainable homes turns real
Carpenters from Norway have shown Minnesotans how to assemble cottages on a channel to Lake Vermillion quickly. Via Star Tribune
St. Paul affordable housing development built to be a large net-zero community
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a net-zero affordable housing development. Via MinnPost
Our View: Fee-forgiveness could help jump-start new housing
Opinion by the Post Bulletin Editorial Board about its belief that the fee reimbursement program will create a trickle-down effect and could gain momentum over time. Via Post Bulletin
Historic Cloquet building set to be turned into apartments
A historic Cloquet building is about to get a brand-new look amid city efforts to revitalize downtown and provide much-needed housing. Via Northern News Now
Two stalled Duluth housing projects move ahead
Together, the projects will add more than 250 apartments to the city’s inventory. Via Star Tribune
Vintage Duluth school reopens as Apartments
Construction of 122 apartments within the well-preserved bones of Historic Old Central High School began in May 2022 and wrapped up in January. Via Finance & Commerce
Along the North Shore, sleepy Silver Bay embraces development to put itself ‘on the map’
Silver Bay plans to add roughly 50 new housing units along the waterfront and in the heart of the city. Via MPR
Minneapolis City Council approves $18.3 million in affordable housing investments
$16.8 million was approved in direct investments while $1.5 million was approved in 10-year federal tax credits to create or maintain 876 units of affordable multifamily rental housing in nine projects throughout Minneapolis. Via KSTP
Affordable rental housing is being built at a record pace in Minneapolis
The boom is the result of hundreds of millions in public funding and “almost infinite” demand. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
Richfield approves zoning changes aimed at housing affordability
The changes allow for duplexes in any residential neighborhood, as well as smaller lot sizes. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
Mankato aims to take action on housing crisis Via Makato Free Press
Southern Minnesota legislators aim to tackle housing shortage in 2023 Via Le Sueur County News
Brooklyn Park approves plan for 75-unit apartment complex near North Hennepin Community College
The proposal is part of a collaborative effort to develop affordable or mixed-income housing on land close to the proposed Bottineau Blue Line Light Rail station at West Broadway and 85th Avenue North and the community college. Via Sun Post
Housing, jobs, recreation on the way for Rosemount
The city of Rosemount is preparing services and infrastructure to support population growth expected from a 2,000-unit development now in the works and 400 newly approved lots. This is in addition to the 340 housing units that were created in 2021. Via Rosemount – This Week Live
The Tracy EDA is in discussion with the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership to explore options for addressing a longtime need for rental housing. The Minnesota Workforce Housing Grant Program may be a good fit for the city’s needs. Via Headlight Herald
Duluth City Council lines up behind housing projects
The City Council endorsed seven projects seeking low-income housing credits from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. It is the hope of the council that their support will help with funding from the state level. Via Duluth News Tribune
Cologne sets sights on housing, child care
City councilmembers in Cologne approved the next phase of a housing development for an additional 40 housing units. This next phase will bring the total housing unit development up to 65 new homes. Via Waconia Sun Patriot
Prioritizing affordability
Minneapolis City Council approves $18.3 million in affordable housing investments
$16.8 million was approved in direct investments while $1.5 million was approved in 10-year federal tax credits to create or maintain 876 units of affordable multifamily rental housing in nine projects throughout Minneapolis. Via KSTP
Affordable rental housing is being built at a record pace in Minneapolis
The boom is the result of hundreds of millions in public funding and “almost infinite” demand. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
Richfield approves zoning changes aimed at housing affordability
The changes allow for duplexes in any residential neighborhood, as well as smaller lot sizes. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
St. Anthony: Canvas Apartments in NE Minneapolis underscores need for more affordable units
Construction is underway in northeast Minneapolis on Canvas Apartments, a $71 million, 160-unit affordable housing complex of up to three-bedroom units. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
New $16 million Housing Trust Fund brings affordable housing to Duluth
A review board will evaluate requests asking for funding for large and small housing initiatives. Via Duluth News Tribune
Falcon Heights marks opening of affordable housing in historic Snelling-Larpenteur building
Developer Buhl Investors has turned a historic art deco-style office building in Falcon Heights into affordable apartment units. The redevelopment project, called Amber Union, features 125 new units of affordable housing at the southwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur avenues. Via the Pioneer Press
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announces ‘rent stabilization stakeholder group’
Following a majority vote for rent stabilization, the mayor of Saint Paul has convened a 41-member team to help shape future policy. Via KMSP (FOX) CH 9 – Minneapolis
Mankato aims to boost housing affordability
By creating the Mankato Area Affordable Housing Plan, the city hopes to address the core rationale behind a lack of affordable housing in the areas. This study will use data from all government level sources and create an action plan. Via Mankato Free Press
Cities work to solve affordable housing crisis
In Minneapolis $16.8 million in grants to nonprofit agencies has been approved for housing while in St. Paul there are ribbon cuttings aplenty from investments of years past. Via KARE 11
Mankato receives affordable-housing funds for sixth year in a row
Mankato received $5.8 million in state funding for construction of a 64-unit building for low-income seniors and $200,000 to help low-income residents of Blue Earth County purchase their first home. Via Mankato Free Press
More housing proposed for swampy land along Lions Park
Elk River City Council approved a TIF district to aid with a proposed 44-unit apartment building. Via Elk River Star News
Pipestone is hopeful that private development will meet the community’s need for market-rate rental units and single-family residential that is affordable to households earning $40,000-$60,000. Via Pipestone County Star
Addressing housing challenges
Historic Cloquet building set to be turned into apartments
A historic Cloquet building is about to get a brand-new look amid city efforts to revitalize downtown and provide much-needed housing. Via Northern News Now
Vintage Duluth school reopens as Apartments
Construction of 122 apartments within the well-preserved bones of Historic Old Central High School began in May 2022 and wrapped up in January. Via Finance & Commerce
Smaller lots, cheaper homes? Richfield and Bloomington eye changes aimed at affordability
Richfield and Bloomington may soon allow more types of housing in traditionally single-family areas, with the goal of making homeownership accessible. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
‘Big ideas’ come from Willmar Mayor’s Housing Task Force
Paul Borene, chair of Willmar Mayor’s Housing Task Force, recently presented the task force’s plan to solve the single-family housing issues the city is facing. Via West Central Tribune
Wadena’s new development looks more costly than expected – but still worthwhile as housing solution
Wadena is taking on site prep and infrastructure costs so that new development can proceed. Via Wadena Pioneer Journal
St. Paul launches foreclosure prevention program
The St. Paul Homeownership Preservation Program aims to help homeowners avoid foreclosure during rough times. Via Minneapolis Star Tribune
Groups team up to fight homelessness in Mound
The city of Mound is partnering with community stakeholders to better coordinate and expand resources for residents who are experiencing homelessness. Via Laker Pioneer
Construction costs contribute to persevering housing shortage
The city of Faribault is working with construction companies and developers to increase stock across the spectrum of housing. Via Faribault Daily News
City’s $600,000 housing grant application moves forward
The City of Thief River Falls advanced a $600,000 grant application that would fund renovations of a 40-apartment unit building. Via Thief River Fall Times
Osakis City Council approves participation in homebuyer program
Osakis City Council enrolled in the MN City Participation Program run by MN Housing. The program is intended to help first-time homebuyers with down payments or closing costs. Via Alexandria Echo Press
Targeting local housing needs
Our View: Fee-forgiveness could help jump-start new housing
Opinion by the Post Bulletin Editorial Board about its belief that the fee reimbursement program will create a trickle-down effect and could gain momentum over time. Via Post Bulletin
Rochester accessory-dwelling unit pilot program open for applications
Program seeks to promote options related to secondary housing structures in residential neighborhoods by providing assistance with fees. Via Post Bulletin
The City of Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority (HEDRA) has announced a second round of funding for the Façade Improvement Program, which helps property owners that wish to make exterior building improvements that eliminate blight. Via Hastings Star Gazette
Cannon Falls receives almost $600,000 for housing rehabilitation
The City of Cannon Falls received almost $600,000 for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation through the Small Cities Development Program, which is allocating $20 million state-wide. Via Cannon Falls Beacon
New development site will bring hundreds of homes to Woodbury
A new development project would add hundreds of housing units to the area near Dale Road and Pioneer Drive in Woodbury. Via the Pioneer Press
City Council OKs workforce housing development
The Faribault City Council and Planning Commission have offered unanimous support for a multi-family workforce housing project needed by a local employer. Via Faribault Daily News
Developer presents potential housing project to City Council
A Waseca-based developer has presented plans to create single-family and multi-unit housing in a city-established federal opportunity zone. Via Waseca County News
Apartment complex proposed on city-owned property
The Faribault City Council and developer Aleph recently discussed options for a 200-unit market rate apartment complex. Via Faribault Daily News
C&S vending seeks new workforce housing
The Faribault Planning Commission advanced a proposal that will aid a local employer and landowner in construction of multifamily workforce housing. Via Faribault Daily News
Hastings Veterans Home, Civic Arena included in governor’s bonding bill
Included in the Governor Walz’s “local jobs and projects” plan was $59 million in funding for an upgrade to Hasting’s Veterans Homes. Via Hastings Star Gazette