The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted Wednesday to authorize its executive director to apply for up to $600,000 in owner-occupied housing rehabilitation funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (Deed).

Jeff, the HRA executive director, told commissioners the pre-application focuses on Grand Marais and would provide grants of up to $25,000 per household for energy- and envelope-related repairs such as windows, roofing and exterior fascia. The HRA would submit a pre-application before Thanksgiving and — if the pre-application advances — would proceed through additional application rounds later this winter and spring.

The application is a pre-application step intended to secure a place in the competitive funding process; if awarded, the HRA plans to administer funds in partnership with the city of Grand Marais and local program partners. Jeff said the HRA envisions splitting the money into three rounds if the full $600,000 is awarded, with two rounds of seven homes each and a third round covering the remaining awards.

Why it matters: The HRA said the funding would expand rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied housing in Grand Marais, improve energy efficiency in the local housing stock and create rehabs that will remain in the local housing supply.

Commissioner Lamar commented on the preference for rehabilitation over new construction, saying, “Any dollar that is spent, rehabilitating and improving existing housing stock that's not going to go into a further state of disrepair, is worth, well more than a dollar of new construction.” The board voted by voice vote to approve resolution 25-17; the clerk recorded “Aye” and the chair announced the motion carried.

Officials said the city of Grand Marais plans to pass a companion resolution and the county would consider a supporting resolution at its November 12 meeting so the county can be part of a coordinated application if the HRA proceeds.

The board asked staff to develop an outreach/survey process in Grand Marais so Deed and the HRA can identify eligible households early in the application process. The HRA also confirmed that award reporting and audit documentation would be required if funds are granted.