Funded projects expected to create 823 affordable housing units, 170 jobs
The Met Council awarded $9.8 million in Livable Communities grants in November with a focus on supporting deeply affordable housing for larger families and for people experiencing homelessness.
The grants are expected to support creation of 823 rental housing units (of which 740 are affordable to 60% of area median income or lower) and 170 jobs, including 101 living-wage jobs.
The Met Council made awards to seven cities for a total of nine projects in this year’s round of Livable Communities Demonstration Account grants. The grants support creation of affordable housing, better connections between housing, jobs, and amenities, and more equitable development outcomes.
“I am particularly excited about the number of deeply affordable units in these projects and the focus on youth experiencing homelessness,” said Council Member Toni Carter, a member of the Met Council’s Community Development Committee.
Five suburbs among the grant recipients
Recipient cities in 2024 include Brooklyn Center, Little Canada, Minneapolis, Richfield, Saint Paul, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury. By Met Council policy, no more than 40% of the grant money in any given round can go to Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
The Met Council received a total of 18 applications from 12 cities and agencies. The Livable Communities Advisory Committee and Council staff reviewed and scored the projects. The committee comprises local government officials and experts in finance, development, site design, transportation, environment, and community engagement.
Deeply affordable housing, on-site services, job training, and more
Several of the projects awarded funding have multiple uses on site. Following is a summary of the projects that received grants in this round.
Community Corner, Brooklyn Center: $1.5 million to construct 31 units of housing for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities earning at or below 30% area median income (AMI). The four-story building will also feature commercial space that includes a workforce center with vocational rehabilitation services and career resources, youth programming, and a youth-led coffee shop.
A Home of Our Own, Minneapolis: $1 million to construct 31 units of deeply affordable housing for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 16 to 24). The new site, operated by Avenues for Youth, will have overnight and transitional beds, emergency overnight beds, and “first step” apartments for youth. Services to support youth will also be included on site.
Cheatham Apartments, Minneapolis: $1.71 million to construct mixed-income apartments near the 38th Street Station of the METRO Blue Line. Included will be 98 units of housing, with 20 3-bedroom units affordable at 30% or less area median income. Homeless families will be prioritized for deeply affordable units, and on-site services will include job training.
GloryVille, Saint Paul: $1.21 million to construct mixed-income affordable housing above a planned cultural grocery store. Of the 87 affordable units, 38 will be affordable to households with 30% or less of AMI. Supportive services will be provided on site.
CAPI Immigrant Opportunity Center, Brooklyn Center: $1.75 million to construct a building that will include a technology and resource center; new entrepreneur training, technical assistance, and financial services to support BIPOC businesses; indoor gathering space; and more. The site plan includes a greenhouse, community garden space, and a play area.
Aster Commons, Richfield: $850,000 to construct 38 housing units, 29 of which are deeply affordable. The project will focus on providing housing for neurodivergent Native youth who have additional barriers to finding safe and stable housing. Services will be provided on site.
Karen Drive Apartments, Woodbury: $800,000 to construct a mixed-income housing project in an area designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as difficult to develop. Of the 252 units, 76 will have three bedrooms.
County Road B East Senior Housing, Little Canada: $490,000 to construct 106 units of mixed-income senior affordable housing. The project will include supportive housing units and units for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Vadnais Heights Drive Project, Vadnais Heights: $490,000 to construct 180 units of affordable housing at a mix of affordability levels for families and people with disabilities.
To be eligible and compete for Livable Communities funding, metro area local governments must participate in the Livable Communities program; 76 cities and 1 township are participating in the Livable Communities program in 2024.