News

$1,047,419.00 Available for Loans to First Time Homebuyers

in Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona Counties

The Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority announced that Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona Counties received a $1,047,419 allocation to provide homeownership opportunities through single-family mortgage revenue bonds.  The mortgage offered is a 30-year, fixed rate loan.  These funds are available exclusively to residents in Goodhue, Wabasha, and Winona Counties (excluding the Cities of Red Wing and Winona) on a first come, first served basis!

Qualified first-time homebuyers who meet established income limits may be eligible to receive down payment or closing cost assistance.  Funds may be used for the purchase of a new or existing home.  The purchase price limit of a home is $283,300.

Homebuyer education is required for some Minnesota Housing Finance Agency loan programs.  SEMMCHRA now offers homebuyer education classes and homebuyer counseling services.

To obtain a list of local participating lenders, program requirements or information on homebuyer education & counseling, homebuyers can contact the Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and talk with Tressa at 651-565-2638, ext. 204 or email tsauke@semmchra.org.  Visit our website at www.semmchra.org for more information.  This is an equal housing opportunity.

Congratulations to the City of Kasson on their Small Cities Development Program grant totaling $517,500, which will be used to rehabilitate 20 owner-occupied homes.  For more information or to apply, please contact Jessica at 651-565-2638, ext. 221 or email jvollmer@semmchra.org.

Congratulations to the City of Goodview on their $599,265 Small Cities Development Program grant.  These funds will be used to rehabilitate 17 owner-occupied housing units and 33 multi-family rental units.  For more information or to apply, please contact Jessica at 651-565-2638, ext. 221 or email jvollmer@semmchra.org.

Are you interested in buying a home, but are unsure about the process?  SEMMCHRA will be conducting a Home Stretch class in Red Wing!

Home Stretch offers interested homebuyers the opportunity to talk with industry professionals about topics related to buying a home.  Learn about housing affordability, budgeting techniques, raising & maintaining a high credit score, selecting a mortgage product, working with a real estate agent, the importance of a home inspection, choosing a homeowner’s insurance policy, and the loan closing process.

Whether you are just exploring homeownership or have a loan closing scheduled, Home Stretch is a great way to ensure your homebuying experience goes smoothly!

Class will be held on February 11^th and 13^th from 6-10 PM at Jordan Towers II located at 440 West 5^th Street, Red Wing.  Participants must attend both nights to earn a completion certificate.  The cost of the class is $25/household.

For more information on Home Stretch, contact Tressa at (651) 565-2638 ext. 204, email tsauke@semmchra.org, or visit www.semmchra.org.  This Home Stretch class is brought to you by SEMMCHRA and the Red Wing HRA.  This is an equal housing opportunity

The Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County HRA (SEMMCHRA) is pleased to announce that we now operate the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program in the City of Winona. For the past several months, the Winona and Housing and Redevelopment Authority and SEMMCHRA have been working together to transfer the Winona HRA’s Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program over to SEMMCHRA. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorized this program transfer effective January 1, 2020.

We are excited to announce, as of January 1^st, SEMMCHRA has assumed management of the Kenyon Roseview Apartments.  This property, located at 401 Gunderson Blvd in Kenyon, consists of (12) one and two-bedroom apartments.  Rents are affordably priced, and include heat, water and sewer.  There are convenient on-site laundry facilities as well as off-street parking.  Anyone interested in getting on the waiting list, is encouraged to fill out the online application on our website.

Are you interested in buying a home, but are unsure about the process?  Do you need information on budgeting, credit, or getting a better handle on your finances?  SEMMCHRA is now offering Homebuyer Education Classes, One-on-One Pre-Purchase Counseling, & Financial Wellness Training.

Homebuyer Education provides opportunities to talk with industry professionals and to learn the steps in the homebuying process.

One-on-One Pre-Purchase Counseling provides participants with the opportunity to work with a counselor to review their personal financial situation as they decided on a mortgage product and shop for a home.

Financial Wellness is geared toward individuals who are looking to get a better understanding of how to manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, or improve/repair their credit.

Whether you are trying to buy a home or just get on better financial footing, SEMMCHRA’s Financial Wellness and Homebuyer Services can help!

For more information on these programs visit www.semmchra.org or contact Tressa at (651) 565-2638 ext. 204 or email tsauke@semmchra.org.  This is an equal housing opportunity program.

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.