Research & Innovations

From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's press release:

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council approved the city’s 2025 budget, setting a new funding highwater mark for MPHA programs and activities at nearly $11 million. Included in this funding is the continuation of the $5 million annual housing tax levy, a $1.3 million investment to support MPHA piloting a new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding program, $2.2 million in continued ongoing funding to support the nationally recognized Stable Homes Stable Schools (SHSS) program, a one-time investment of $830,500 to pilot a SHSS expansion into early childhood and middle school homelessness prevention, and $1.8 million (with $1.4 million ongoing in subsequent years) for the creation of a new city-funded Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program to mirror the successful but sunsetting federal program.

“We are honored by the trust Mayor Frey and the City Council have placed in MPHA as a partner in the work to address our city’s homelessness and affordable housing challenges,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “This agency administers numerous successful housing assistance programs. Chief among these is Stable Homes Stable Schools and the Emergency Housing Voucher program. I am heartened that our elected leaders understand the importance of these successful programs and are increasing the city’s support. This agency plays a critical role in addressing our region’s affordable housing challenges, and I hope other local and state leaders take note of what is possible when investing in MPHA’s award-winning work.”

Earlier this summer, MPHA leaders presented an update on the agency’s 2024 levy budget and a look at the agency’s five-year levy capital plan. Highlights from the agency’s 2024 levy budget included dedicating a portion of funding towards the agency’s next major high-rise renovation (Spring Manor), two scattered site infill projects (one duplex and one triplex), and modernizing elevator systems in two high-rises. The 2025 levy budget includes dedicating additional funds to the Spring Manor redevelopment project and replacing high-rise windows from the 1980s with energy efficient, code compliant windows that include fall protection safety features across the portfolio.

The City of Minneapolis’ 2025 budget includes an amendment led by Councilmembers Jason Chavez and Aurin Chowdhury, along with Council President Elliot Payne, to fund two SHSS pilot expansion projects in two core areas of need and opportunity: early childhood homelessness prevention and expanding the program into Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) middle schools.

The early childhood prevention expansion will help reach families with infant to pre-school-aged children who are unstably housed to prevent any initial homelessness episodes. By preventing homelessness of 0 – 5-year-olds, SHSS can prevent the deficits that children impacted by homelessness bring into their primary school journeys. Services include financial assistance and case management.

And the middle school expansion is the natural next step for SHSS expansion. It will expand the reach of SHSS housing stability services to additional MPS schools, extending the stabilizing benefits SHSS delivers to additional children, families, and schools. Services include financial assistance and case management.

Full details for both pilot expansion programs can be found in this fact sheet, but MPHA estimates that an additional 180-225 families (representing 440-565 children) could be served by Stable Homes Stable Schools with these two expansions.

The other budget amendment, led by Councilmembers Robin Wonsley and Jamal Osman, creates a new city-funded EHV program that mirrors MPHA’s successful EHV program.

Created and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the EHV program connects federal rental assistance with local Continuums of Care (CoCs) and other partners to target resources to individuals and families who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, were recently homeless, or have a high risk of housing instability.

In developing its EHV program, MPHA partnered with the Hennepin County CoC to identify chronically homeless individuals, and to establish a process of engagement with those individuals referred for the vouchers. The agency works with Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry System to administer the EHV program, equipping individuals and families coming out of homelessness with wrap-around case management services provided by the county and county-contracted providers.

But while MPHA has developed a successful EHV program that has delivered millions in emergency rental assistance and helped 246 individuals escape homelessness, the EHV program’s funding is set to expire in September 2030. Unlike other HUD voucher programs that receive annual congressional appropriations, EHVs only received one-time funding through ARPA.

Councilmember Wonsley and Osman’s amendment will help the agency permanently fund 100 EHVs, modeled off the agency’s successful federally funded program. Full details on the federal EHV program and the agency’s proposal for a city-funded EHV program can be found in this fact sheet.

For both the SHSS expansions and the city-funded EHV program, MPHA will spend the coming months staffing up and creating the necessary administrative and compliance software systems. In the case of the city-funded EHV program, MPHA cannot simply continue to use federal documents, administration, and compliance systems. Therefore, the agency needs to build the unique systems and processes that mirror the federal program – a process the agency anticipates will run through summer of 2025 before the first city-funded EHVs are deployed. The agency will provide periodic updates on these two programs and the rest of the activities and programs funded in the City of Minneapolis’ budget throughout 2025.

From the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) announced today it has invested a combined total of $78.9 million to purchase The Residences at Eden Park in northeast Columbus and The Orchards in Lockbourne.

These acquisitions add 426 units to CMHA’s portfolio, with rents tailored to address the region’s critical need for workforce housing. To further enhance affordability, each property can also house families using the CMHA Housing Choice Voucher program.

Workforce housing is defined as housing affordable to households with income between 60% and 120% of the area median income (AMI), targeting middle-income essential workers such as police, firefighters, educators and health care, retail and restaurant/lodging workers. AMI data is calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

All 264 apartments at Eden Park, located at 2335 N. Cassady Ave. near Easton, and the 162 units at The Orchards, situated at 310 Rathmell Road near Rickenbacker International Airport and adjacent to the new Google facility under construction, will be affordable to renters at 80% of the Columbus AMI. This translates to affordability for a one-person household earning $55,600 annually or a two-person household earning $63,520. Monthly rents for the one-, two- and three-bedroom units will range from $1,100 to $1,900.

“We can all agree that if you work in Central Ohio, you should be able to live in Central Ohio,” said CMHA President and CEO Charles Hillman.

“The tremendous economic boom in our region is producing both exciting opportunities and challenges, including a critical shortage of workers and affordable housing,” Hillman added. “By acquiring these two properties, we aim to alleviate the housing burden faced by working families while building a brighter, more prosperous future for residents across Franklin County.”

CMHA purchased Eden Park for $47.4 million and The Orchards for $31.5 million from Metro Development, one of Central Ohio’s leading multifamily developers. Both locations were constructed by Metro Development in 2023.

The acquisitions were financed through $79 million in bonds, contributing to CMHA’s total bond issuance of over $260 million for the development, preservation and acquisition of housing for all. This effort aligns with CMHA’s strategic goal to expand the region’s housing stock and combat Central Ohio’s ongoing housing shortage, bolstered by its A+ credit rating from S&P Global.

“Our prestigious A+ rating positions CMHA to leverage bond markets with reduced financing costs, enabling a sustainable growth model aligned with our strategic vision of delivering at least 500 new housing units annually for the foreseeable future,” said CMHA Chief Operating Officer Scott Scharlach.

Amenities at both properties include a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse, resident lounge, 24-hour access to emergency services, a professional cardio center, gaming area, tranquil pool, business center, coffee bar and outdoor activity areas, including a dog park. Apartments feature contemporary designs, oversize walk-in closets, 9-foot ceilings and private patios or balconies.

The acquisitions come amid a well-documented shortage of affordable housing in central Ohio.

According to the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, only 29 affordable units exist for every 100 extremely low-income households. Approximately 54,000 Franklin County families spend over half their income on housing. Nationally, rents have risen 14% since 2021, with Columbus following similar trends. Currently, 40% of renters in the region are considered rent-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

Today’s announcement marks a record-setting year for CMHA, with more than $275 million in annual real estate investments to promote affordable housing opportunities. CMHA’s housing portfolio, now valued at nearly $1 billion, consists of over 2,257 subsidized units, 1,700 workforce housing units and 1,700 market-rate units.

From the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority's press release:

Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC), a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, broke ground yesterday on the Residences at Government Center II during a ceremony with LAC leaders, local lawmakers and partners, including Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA).

The Residences at Government Center II will provide 279 high-quality, affordable homes for families in the Braddock District. Upon completion, this community will also feature a daycare center, providing a safe and convenient childcare option for residents.

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly, who represents Virginia’s 11th District in Congress, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony. Other speakers included Nick Bracco, Vice President, Lincoln Avenue Communities; Lenore Stanton, Chair, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; James Walkinshaw, Braddock District Supervisor, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; and Kerrie Wilson, CEO, Cornerstones.

“Throughout my career, creating and preserving affordable housing has been a key priority. As a Congressman and the former Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I am thrilled to be a part of this innovative use of land to further the creation of affordable housing in our community,” said Rep. Connolly.

“Lincoln Avenue Communities is proud to begin construction on the Residences at Government Center II,” said Nick Bracco, Vice President, Lincoln Avenue Communities. “Once completed, this property will offer nearly 300 safe, affordable homes with top-tier amenities to families and individuals in Fairfax County, where new affordable housing is strongly needed.”

“We are proud to welcome new affordable housing right here in our front yard at the Fairfax County Government Center. These new homes will ensure that more people have an equitable shot at building their own future, right here in Fairfax County,” said Jeff McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

“For years, I’ve felt that we could make better use of the sea of parking in front of the Fairfax County Government Center to help meet our affordable housing goals. I made the motion to convey the property to the FCRHA for that purpose, and today, we are seeing this concept come to fruition,” said James Walkinshaw, Supervisor, Braddock District, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “I look forward to welcoming 279 families to their new homes at this innovative complex in the Braddock District.”

“During the 2024 calendar year, we have come together to celebrate affordable housing groundbreakings or grand openings several times. Residences at Government Center II is another testament to our commitment to developing affordable housing in all corners of Fairfax County,” said Lenore Stanton, Chair, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

"We are pleased to help bring affordable housing to Fairfax, just a short distance away from Capital One's headquarters. This development builds on our relationship with Lincoln Avenue Communities and the work we have done to expand affordable housing in Fairfax, Miami, New Orleans and Richmond," said Ed Delany, Senior Director for Community Finance at Capital One. "Capital One provided construction debt, LIHTC equity investments and permanent Freddie Mac loans, including structuring and closing Freddie Mac’s first Forward Bond Credit Enhancement in just 90 days to meet the closing timeline."

“Residences at Government Center II is a perfect example of taking underutilized land and creating something beautiful to support the community,” said Director, Production Patricia Mao Booker at KTGY. “Our architects carefully designed around the surrounding environment to enhance the pedestrian experience for this mixed-use affordable housing complex. We’re proud to support low-income families in Fairfax with this new, beautifully designed community.”

Read FCRHA's press release.