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HRA seeks $1.18 million levy; awarded $3.7M in state funds for rental assistance and capital improvements
Summary
Kandiyohi County HRA requested and the board approved a 2026 tax levy of $1,181,512. The HRA also reported Minnesota Housing awards: $922,112 for a new rental-assistance program, $150,000 for the county housing trust fund and $2,639,590 for Lakeview Apartments capital work.
Jill Bankson, executive director of the Kandiyohi County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, presented the HRA’s 2026 tax levy request and a year-to-date program update at the Sept. 16 county board meeting. The board approved the levy request by motion.
Bankson told commissioners the HRA requested a 2026 levy of $1,181,512, representing a $31,062 increase — about 2.7% — over the current levy. "Of that budget amount, $150,000 of that will go to the housing trust fund to keep funding that annually," she said.
Major grant awards and programs: Bankson reported three recent awards from Minnesota Housing Authority and other sources. The HRA was selected to administer a state-funded rental assistance program called "Bring It Home" with an award of $922,112 to provide monthly rental payments for about 50 households across Kandiyohi, Renville and McLeod counties. The agency also received $150,000 for the County Housing Trust Fund and $2,639,590 for capital improvements at Lakeview Apartments, including roof work, main electrical gear and fire-alarm upgrades.
Bankson summarized HRA operations and demand: tenant-based rental assistance is a budget-based program that can serve up to 591 households in theory but will serve fewer households if rents rise; the HRA manages several locally owned and managed properties, administers down-payment assistance loans (13 loans used this year in the county), and operates programs such as Bridges to Bridges rental assistance through the Southwest Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium.
Waiting list and capacity: Bankson said the HRA reopened its rental assistance waiting list the previous week and had already recorded about 100 households on the list. She told the board most of the HRA’s rental properties operate at or near full capacity.
Board action: Commissioner Corky Berg moved to approve the HRA’s 2026 levy request; Commissioner Dale Anderson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
What comes next: Bankson said the HRA will finalize grant agreements with Minnesota Housing and proceed with program implementation, with Bring It Home expected to roll out in 2026 after grant documents are finalized.
