Buffy Beranek, Executive Director, Southeast Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority received the 2019 Outstanding Advocacy Award from the Minnesota Housing Partnership. Beranek was recognized for her efforts on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in Goodhue County and advocating for Local Housing Trust Funds throughout the state of Minnesota. During the 2019 session and beyond, Buffy ardently supported MHP’s agenda. By engaging directly with legislators through multiple trips to the State Capitol, including a trip to testify on the Homes for All legislative agenda, Buffy drew attention to key solutions to address Minnesota’s need for affordable housing including local housing trust funds and the affordable #HousingTaxCredit.  Buffy has spent her career fighting for access and funding for basic social needs – health, education and now housing.

Minnesota Housing Partnership announced the recipients of their 2019 Outstanding Advocate award at the Investor Council Breakfast on June 8, 2019 in St. Paul.  More than 150 representatives of the affordable housing sector in Minnesota were present for the ceremony. These awards recognize community members and selected organizations for demonstrated dedication to affordable housing. During the 2019 session, these advocates engaged their elected officials, motivated others to advocate, and raised the public profile of affordable housing issues. They shared personal and professional experience to further MHP’s policy agenda and secure more resources for affordable housing.

MHP’s work would be impossible without the partnership of these outstanding individuals. MHP is incredibly grateful for all the ways in which they used their voices, ingenuity, talent, and resources to draw attention to housing as a critical public issue. These awards are a small gesture in appreciation of big contributions!

Goodhue County has authorized the creation of the Goodhue County Workforce Housing Assistance Program.  The program is designed to promote home ownership within Goodhue County.  The assistance is in the form of a low interest, 5-year installment loan.  Qualified home buyers will be served on a first come, first serve basis.

Qualified Home buyers will:

• Have a credit score of 640 or higher
• Be pre-approved with a lender
• Provide $500 in own funds towards the down payment or closing costs
• Meet income limits (1-2 Person-$88,600, 3+ Person-$101,890)
• Be purchasing a home in Goodhue County, excluding the City of Red Wing
• Have one member of household working at least 30 hours per week

For more information, please contact Tressa Sauke at SEMMCHRA at (651) 565-2638 ext. 204 or email tsauke@semmchra.org.

This is an equal housing opportunity program.

City of Kenyon awarded $576,250 in Small Cities Development Program Funding for Housing & Commercial Rehabilitation

The City of Kenyon has received $576,250 in Small Cities Development Program Funding that will provide funding for 15 owner-occupied residential rehabilitation projects.  The funding is available to residents in a targeted area.  Financing for the owner-occupied housing rehab activity is in the form of a 10-year deferred loan.  Qualified homeowners will be served on a first come, first serve basis.

Qualified owner-occupied residents who meet established income limits (2017 income limits are:

1 person – $42,300; 2 people – $48,350; 3 people – $54,400; 4 people – $60,400; 5 people – $65,250) are eligible to receive assistance for necessary repairs to their home.  Eligible improvements include health and safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility improvements.

Additionally, the funding will assist 5 commercial property owners in the commercial targeted area (Properties located immediately north and south of County 12 Blvd./2nd St. from Spring St. and Red Wing Ave.) in rehabilitating their commercial properties.  Eligible improvements include exterior improvements to improve exterior appearance, health and safety improvements, energy efficiency improvements, code violations, and accessibility improvements.

For more information on targeted areas and eligibility requirements or to apply for the program, please contact Tressa Sauke at SEMMCHRA at (651) 565-2638 ext. 204 or email tsauke@semmchra.org.

This is an equal housing opportunity program.