About

To enhance and strengthen communities through advocacy, collaboration and promotion of self-reliance, housing, and community development.

To be a recognized advocate and leader in creating housing opportunities and community development solutions.

RESPECT:

We will respect each other’s dignity and recognize each other’s merit by embracing diversity, so our services and programs are among the best in the industry.

INTEGRITY:

We will maintain honesty and fairness in all decision-making, be transparent in our communications, and operate at the highest level of ethical standards.

INNOVATION:

We will be creative and proactive in the development of our partnerships and solutions to provide the best possible services and strategies for our customers without sacrificing quality.

COLLABORATION:

We will strive to develop and preserve opportunities with other community agencies and private partnerships to maintain a high level of service and optimize operational results.

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, family self-sufficiency programs, 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 external funding come from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Rural Development, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF), Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), 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.

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 is a fair housing and equal opportunity provider.