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HRA reserves 2026 low-income housing tax credits for Aragon development at 470 White Bear Ave.
Summary
The St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved reserving 2026 low-income housing tax credits for the Aragon development at 470 White Bear Avenue. Council members discussed prioritizing projects that are construction-ready and preserving long-term affordability.
The St. Paul City Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution reserving 2026 low-income housing tax credits for the Aragon development at 470 White Bear Avenue, listed as in District 1, Ward 7.
Vice Chair Sarah Jost opened the item and asked for a motion. Council Member Bui moved approval and said she supported the project, calling it "a phenomenal, development" and noting she would "be in support of this item." Chair Johnson, who participated in the scoring and review process, said the Aragon application ranked highly on affordability and certain equity measures and described continuing partnership between the developer and the city.
Council Member Bui also cautioned the HRA to prioritize projects that are closer to completion when allocating tax credits. "It's really important that we, you know, prioritize properties that are to its completion and ready to go, just so we can prioritize who's actually ready to sustain and build housing," she said. Bui noted the Aragon site is currently a vacant lot in her ward and that the proposal is for 100% affordable housing, but that actual occupancy will occur years from now. She said the project will return to the HRA next year as part of a multi-year (three-year) request for credits.
Chair Johnson said the applications were scored against the established criteria and that some existing-property applicants scored lower; he emphasized the project's affordability provisions and the city's ongoing partnership with community groups that supported the proposal. Johnson also said current projects typically carry 30-year affordability requirements and that the HRA will consider whether to change that term to 15 years in future discussions.
The motion to approve was called and the body recorded five votes in favor, none opposed. The resolution was adopted.
The action carries no immediate change to construction timelines; staff noted the project will return for subsequent steps and additional requests for funds in future meetings.
