DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Update On Housing Business Plan And Affordable Housing Aid Spending Options And Authorization To Accept State And Local Affordable Housing Aid Funds
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the Housing Business Plan and Affordable Housing Aid spending options and authorize acceptance of State and Local Affordable Housing Aid funds.
SUMMARY
In 2021, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners reconvened the Housing Leadership Workgroup to assess the outcomes of the County’s Housing Business Plan and make recommendations for future housing initiatives and investments in Dakota County.
The workgroup was made up of faith leaders, law enforcement, people who have experienced homelessness, nonprofit partners, Dakota County Commissioners, and staff from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and the County. The workgroup recommended investments in three main areas to support the next phase of the Dakota County Housing Business Plan: shelter, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing. Staff presented these recommendations to the County Board on October 19, 2021. Staff returned to the County Board throughout 2022 and 2023 with additional information and further defined recommendations in each of the three investment areas.
The 2024 County Budget included initial investments utilizing the new State and Local Affordable Housing Aid, including Emergency Rental Assistance, Apartment Services, Prevention and Navigation Services, Family Voucher Program, and Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-Housing Services.
On March 27, 2024, Community Services and the CDA proposed an expanded set of Affordable Housing Aid investments during a Board Workshop. The County Board requested that additional eligible activities that can be launched quickly be brought back for formal consideration.
On April 16, 2024, Community Services proposed expansion of the Emergency Rental Assistance program by adding $1,500,000 to the 2024 Social Services budget. By Resolution No. 24-215 (April 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized $428,000 of Affordable Housing Aid funds be allocated toward emergency rental assistance and requested that staff return after the legislative session ends to provide an update on Affordable Housing Aid uses and propose eligible activities that can be launched quickly.
It is a Board Priority for Community Services and the Dakota County CDA to develop a 5-year plan for allocating Affordable Housing Aid in alignment with Dakota County’s refreshed Housing Business Plan. This presentation will provide an update on the eligible uses of the Affordable Housing Aid funding. It will also include several funding scenarios based on these eligible uses for feedback from the Board of Commissioners.
In 2024, Dakota County will receive a total of $516,862 in State Affordable Housing Aid and $4,103,737.26 in Local Affordable Housing Aid, as certified by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. This resolution will allow Dakota County to accept the State and Local Affordable Housing Aid funds in 2024. A portion of these funds have been built into the 2024 Social Services budget.
OUTCOMES
None.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to accept State and Local Affordable Housing Aid in the amount certified by the Minnesota Department of Revenue in 2024.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost as a result of this action. A portion of the funding is included in the 2024 Social Services budget. Additional amendments will be requested as a plan is developed.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, in 2021, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners reconvened the Housing Leadership Workgroup to assess the outcomes of the County’s Housing Business Plan and make recommendations for future housing initiatives and investments in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup was made up of faith leaders, law enforcement, people who have experienced homelessness, nonprofit partners, Dakota County Commissioners, and staff from the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and the County; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup recommended investments in three main areas to support the next phase of the Dakota County Housing Business Plan that staff presented to the County Board on October 19, 2021: shelter, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, staff returned to the County Board throughout 2022 and 2023 with additional information and further defined recommendations in each of the three investment areas; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 County Budget included initial investments utilizing the new State and Local Affordable Housing Aid, including Emergency Rental Assistance, Apartment Services, Prevention and Navigation Services, Family Voucher Program, and Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-Housing Services; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2024, Community Services and the CDA proposed an expanded set of Affordable Housing Aid investments during a Board Workshop at which the County Board requested that additional eligible activities that can be launched quickly be brought back for formal consideration; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2024, Community Services proposed expansion of the Emergency Rental Assistance program by adding $1,500,000 to the 2024 Social Services Budget; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-215 (April 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized $428,000 of Affordable Housing Aid funds be allocated toward emergency rental assistance and requested that staff return after the legislative session ends to provide an overview of Affordable Housing Aid uses and propose eligible activities that can be launched quickly; and
WHEREAS, it is a Board Priority for Community Services and the Dakota County CDA to develop a 5-year plan for allocating Affordable Housing Aid in alignment with Dakota County’s refreshed Housing Business Plan; and
WHEREAS, this presentation will provide an update on the eligible uses of the Affordable Housing Aid funding and will also include several funding scenarios based on these eligible uses for feedback from the Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, Dakota County will receive a total of $516,862 in State Affordable Housing Aid and $4,103,737.26 in Local Affordable Housing Aid, as certified by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept $516,862 in 2024 State Affordable Housing Aid and $4,103,737.26 in 2024 Local Affordable Housing Aid, as certified by the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-215; 4/23/2024
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Madeline Kastler