Laserfiche WebLink
492626v1 JSB EL185-13 <br /> Kennedy Offices in <br /> <br />Minneapolis <br /> <br />Saint Paul <br /> <br />St. Cloud <br />470 U.S. Bank Plaza <br />200 South Sixth Street <br />Minneapolis MN 55402 <br /> (612) 337-9300 telephone <br />(612) 337-9310 fax <br />www.kennedy-graven.com <br />Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer <br /> Graven <br />CHARTERED <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Elk River HRA Chair and Commissioners <br />FROM: Gina Fiorini <br />DATE: December 29, 2016 <br />RE: Housing and Redevelopment Authority Legislative Update <br /> <br /> <br />The HRA has historically received an annual update of legislative changes to the Municipal <br />Housing and Redevelopment Act, Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.001 to 469.047 and other <br />legislative changes that are relevant to the HRA. Legislative changes enacted in 2016 pertinent to <br />the HRA are outlined below. <br /> <br />• There were no legislative changes to the Housing and Redevelopment Act. <br /> <br />Other legislative changes impacting the HRA included the following: <br /> <br />• Housing and redevelopment appropriations. Section 5 of Chapter 189 (HF 2749/SF <br />2356) appropriates funds to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. A total of $500,000 is <br />appropriated for the housing trust fund to establish an exploited families rental assistance <br />program. Another $500,000 is allocated for competitive grant programs to fund housing <br />projects in communities with low housing vacancy rates and that have certain education and <br />training centers. The Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program <br />received $750,000 in fiscal year 2017. Section 2, subd. 3 of Chapter 189 (HF 2749/SF <br />2356) allocates $500,000 to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for a grant providing a <br />family stabilization plan program. An additional $250,000 is provided to the Minnesota <br />Housing Finance Agency as a one-time appropriation for risk mitigation programs to reduce <br />landlord financial risks for renting to persons eligible for family homeless prevention and <br />assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, Section 462A.2015. Higher priority will be <br />given to applicants that can demonstrate a matching amount of money by a local unit of <br />government, business, or nonprofit organization. Section 2, subd. 2 of Chapter 189 (HF <br />2749/SF 2356) provided $2 million dollars to the Department of Employment and Economic <br />Development for redevelopment programs. Effective July 1, 2016. <br /> <br />• Community Integration. Chapter 163 (HF 3199/SF 2414) is the omnibus Department of <br />Health and Human Services law. Article 3, section 12 requires the commissioners of Human <br />Services, Education, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Department of Employment <br />&