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Commissioners back letter of support for Hilltop Square affordable-housing application
Summary
Central Minnesota Housing Partnership and local partners asked Todd County for a letter supporting a tax-credit and grant application for a proposed Hilltop Square affordable housing project in Eagle Bend; commissioners voted to provide a letter after questions about rents and maintenance of the historic auditorium were raised.
EAGLE BEND, Minn. — Central Minnesota Housing Partnership and local advocates asked the Todd County Board of Commissioners on May 20 to send a letter of support for Hilltop Square, a proposed affordable-housing project in Eagle Bend that is seeking state and federal housing credits and gap financing.
Representatives said the project team expects to apply to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, pursue federal and state historic tax credits, and request roughly $3.9 million in additional state assistance. The applicants also reported $300,000 in a Live Well at Home grant and community fundraising; in the most recent fundraising update they reported about $122,000 raised locally. Project proponents said their application score under the state rubric improved from 11 points in the prior round to a projected 35 points this year.
“Last year, we scored 11 points, and this year we’re projected to score about a 35,” the housing representative told the commissioners.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about affordability and ongoing taxes and services. One commissioner asked, “What is affordable housing? Is it $500 a month? Is it a thousand dollars a month?” A housing representative described the typical policy definition: housing is considered affordable when households pay no more than 30% of income for rent and utilities, and said program rents will be set against area median income bands used by Minnesota Housing.
Commissioners also raised building-condition questions after board members and staff noted prior problems at the site’s historic auditorium, including a leaking roof and reported mold. Project representatives said roof repair and other rehabilitation work are included in the application and in the project budget; they acknowledged some repairs remain to be completed.
Supporters reported local pledges, including $40,000 in commitments from county senior centers and continued fundraising and letters from surrounding communities. The board moved and approved a motion to provide a letter of support for the application.
What the support means: A county letter does not itself award funding but bolsters applications for state tax credits and appropriations by signaling local commitment. The applicant said the community has assembled a mix of tax-credit equity, historic tax credits, grant funds and local contributions.
What’s next: The project team will complete the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency application and other funding requests; Todd County staff will prepare and send the commissioners’ letter of support.
