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Written by Gabriel Hathaway
Winona’s housing problems have been well documented through housing studies, homebuyers’ struggles in the real estate market, and the city’s comprehensive plan, but what can Winona do to solve this problem? Late last month At the forum, state agencies and others highlighted the many grant programs and funding sources available to local governments, nonprofits, and developers.
Last year, the state Legislature appropriated $1.3 billion for housing, the largest single investment in state history. “The best thing about $1.3 billion, other than $1.3 billion, is that there was money for every part of the continuum of life, from homelessness to homeownership. Minnesota invests in all of those things. This is important because we need to do that,” said Jennifer Ho, Minnesota Housing Commissioner. Panelists at the conference shared information about several programs, including the Minnesota Housing Partnership, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, USDA Rural Development, the Greater Minnesota Infrastructure Program, and more. “Affordable housing in the neighborhoods of their choice, that’s what people ultimately want,” said Brittany Rice, Minnesota’s director of fair and inclusive housing.
Winona faces unique housing challenges. The latest draft of Winona’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan identifies the need for more housing at all income levels, but especially low-income housing, with Winona’s rental vacancy rate between 0 and 2. %, which is below a healthy 5%. For prospective home buyers, low supply and high demand are driving up prices and making it more difficult to find a home. Winona Development Coordinator Nick Larson said building additional housing is a challenge because of the high cost of construction and the difficulty of finding land to build on due to Winona’s unique topography.
Engage Winona Policy Assistant Dan Wilson discussed Winona’s affordable housing issues. “Winona is the ninth worst county in the state for rent-burdened households…approximately 27% of Winona renters are rent-burdened, and an additional 15% are severely rent-burdened,” Wilson said. said. A person with a high rent burden will spend more than 30% of his or her income on housing, and a person with a severe rent burden will spend more than 50% of her income.
Larson noted that the city is looking to pursue state funding sources such as the Workforce Housing Development Program and the Housing Infrastructure Program. “From that $1.3 billion, a lot of money goes towards families, individuals and homelessness. [or] It’s great that so many nonprofits will be able to utilize children. [that] Along with that, there will be new funding for so-called first-generation homebuyers through Minnesota Housing,” Larson said. He added, “So there’s a lot of money going out through Minnesota Housing for different housing categories.”
The City of Winona also now plans to tap into affordable housing funds. On Monday, Larson shared with the Winona City Council his plan to use $200,000 of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to rehabilitate owner-occupied housing. This won’t create more housing, but the renovations will help preserve existing affordable housing. City officials say the program targets underserved populations, including people 62 and older, people with disabilities, veterans and those making less than 80% of the area median income. For one person he will get $51,800. Larson noted that applicants may be eligible for loans of up to $25,000 at 0% interest over five years for home rehabilitation projects. Larson said he hopes to start accepting applications soon.
Staff plans to use the additional $40,000 in ARPA funding to leverage additional state grants to rehabilitate low- to moderate-income owner-occupied housing. The City of Winona will also receive $144,000 in Statewide Affordable Housing Assistance (SAHA) in 2023 and another $144,000 in 2024.
Through Engage Winona’s Kitchen Table program, which collects the lived experiences of people facing housing instability and homelessness, the nonprofit has created a goal to address Winona’s housing crisis. These goals include increasing the number of affordable apartments and homes, ensuring quality living conditions, and increasing the rental options available to people using Housing Choice Vouchers.
“There are a lot of resources out there, but it’s really up to us and our city leaders and our county leaders to advocate and request those resources. “I think what we’re training people to do is create more leaders within the community who will support that funding,” Wilson said.
Local@winonapost.com
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