Housing Trust Funds (HTF)
A Housing Trust Fund is a mechanism for government entities to provide and encourage assistance to local affordable housing units. SEMMCHRA administers Housing Trust Funds on behalf of the counties Wabasha, Goodhue (excluding the City of Red Wing), and Winona (excluding the City of Winona). Each Trust Fund has a unique ordinance which provides policies on how funds must be expended. Each County Board provides guidance to SEMMCHRA on timeline and methodology for spending. Typically, funds are allocated to projects via a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
Goodhue County Housing Trust Fund
Established in 2018, the Goodhue County Housing Trust Fund was the first for SEMMCHRA and has served as a model for others in the region. The original ordinance was amended in 2023 and that is the current guiding article. Goodhue County Board steadily invested in the HTF over the years. In early 2024, with guidance from the County Board, SEMMCHRA released the first Request for Proposal from Goodhue County HTF and the County’s State Affordable Housing Aid funds. In total over $711,250 was allocated to support local affordable housing units.
Wabasha County Housing Trust Fund
In the summer of 2024 Wabasha County voted on and passed an ordinance establishing a HTF. Wabasha County approved an initial funding of $202,000 all of which came from allocating their 2023 and 2024 State Affordable Housing Aid. Funds are now available through the RFP linked below.
Winona County Housing Trust Fund
In September of 2024, Winona County voted on and approved their Housing Trust Fund ordinance. Through a mix of local tax levy and Winona County’s State Affordable Housing Aid, the Housing Trust Fund had a balance of $311,270, which is available through the RFP linked below.
