Three housing efforts benefit in state announcement

Nov. 03--Three Rochester efforts to create affordable housing are being supported by a portion of $87.5 million in state investments announced this week.

The announcement also included projects supported by tax credits and a private nonprofit agency dedicated to supporting affordable housing throughout the state.

HarvestView Place II, listed as a $17 million project planned by Joseph Development, is slated to benefit from $6.1 million in investment through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, along with nearly $10.7 million in estimated tax credit equity.

The first phase of the HarvestView project received similar support last year.

This year's effort along 55th Street Northwest, near the 55th Avenue intersection, aims to provide an additional 76 rental units for households with earnings ranging from approximately $40,000 to $56,000 a year. The complex will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with four dedicated as long-term homeless units and four designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Additionally, the Jeremiah Program will benefit from nearly $11.7 million in estimated tax credit equity, along with $250,000 from the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, a nonprofit seeking to address affordable housing needs.

With Minnesota Housing reporting the expectation of more than $13 million in development costs, the local Jeremiah Program development has also received support from the Coalition for Rochester Area Housing. Additionally, the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority board has agreed to help cover rent for nine of 40 apartments during the project's first decade, offering an estimated $729,000 investment.

The program, which is building 40 rental units on 2 acres near the intersection of 19th Street Northwest and Valleyhigh Drive, will provide single mothers and their children homes along with a plan to transition out of poverty by providing a combination of affordable housing, early childhood education, life-skills training, support for college education and a supportive community.

To highlight the local investment, this year's round of state housing funding and support was announced at the Jeremiah Program's Saint Paul location, where the program has been in operation for more than 10 years.

As part of the announcement, Jeremiah Program graduate Brittany Block shared how the program has benefited her.

"When I came to the Jeremiah Program, they provided a safe space for me to work through my past trauma so I was able to be a present and attentive mother to my son," she said. "In the end, Jeremiah provided a path for me to create even bigger dreams -- dreams I didn't even know were possible."

Block graduated from Jeremiah Program in 2014 and has a degree in business management from Saint Mary's University. She is co-manager of a salon, where she also leads marketing and social media.

As a third program, Rochester Area Foundation's First Homes is also receiving support from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. Nearly $1.7 million is being provided through the state agency, and $60,000 is coming through the nonprofit.

The funds will be used for nearly $4.4 million in development of two new single-family homes and 12 town homes to provide workforce and senior housing options. The homes are expected to serve people earning 80 percent of the area median income, which makes them affordable for people earning approximately $72,400 a year, according to Minnesota Housing.

Since 2011, Minnesota Housing has supported 20 projects considered affordable to Rochester's workforce, from down-payment programs for single-family home buyers to rehabilitation of homes and apartment buildings, as well as new construction rental housing like First Avenue Flats

In announcing the latest awards, Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal highlighted the benefits of growing housing options.

"We know that the smartest investment we can make in our state's future is securing a foundation of strong communities and stable homes for all Minnesotans," she said. "Since the beginning of the Dayton administration, we have touched every corner of our state by investing $1.7 billion in more than 35,000 units of affordable housing. I'm proud of our work and the difference it has made for children, families, businesses and communities across Minnesota."

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