Welcome to the SEMMCHRA Web Site

The Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (SEMMCHRA) was organized in August of 1981. Wabasha and Goodhue Counties felt that there was a shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing available and affordable to elderly persons, individuals and families of low and moderate incomes. The counties determined there was a need for a HRA to exercise their power and create housing for these individuals. Winona and Dodge Counties later joined the HRA to meet the needs of the citizens in their communities.

Our housing objective at SEMMCHRA is to provide affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing to citizens residing in our service area. This is accomplished through rental assistance, rental and single-family property rehabilitation, first time homebuyer loans and down payment assistance.

Our development objectives are to assist in redeveloping slum and blighted properties and to coordinate economic development activities. This is accomplished through relocation, acquisition, demolition, rehabilitation, new construction, exercising Tax Exempt Bonding Authority and Tax Increment Financing.

SEMMCHRA's primary sources of funding come from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Rural Development, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED), Tax Increment Financing (TIF), local banking institutions, property tax levy and bond issues. Other sources of funds are secured through local utility companies and private foundations.

We offer several programs and operate a variety of projects throughout our service area. Our agency is divided into three departments: Assisted Housing, Community Development and Administration

Assisted Housing services and programs include: Section 8 Rental Assistance, Family Self-Sufficiency, public housing for low income individuals and families and market rate housing for families and persons 55 or better.

Community Development offers a variety of services and programs including: Small Cities Development Programs, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Programs, single family-rental-commercial renovation grants and loans, Tax Increment Financing, first time homebuyer loans and down payment assistance.

The Administration Division is responsible for community planning, project development, new program implementation, fiscal support and day-to-day administrative operations.
The HRA has a Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the County Boards. Each county appoints two commissioners. The duty of the commissioners is to set policies and provide guidance in the overall operation of SEMMCHRA.

SEMMCHRA
134 E. 2nd Street, Wabasha, MN 55981
Phone: 651-565-2638 or 800-450-4501
Fax: 651-565-3836
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday