Board approves application for Minnesota Housing match through local housing trust fund

Hubbard County commissioners authorized staff to submit an application to Minnesota Housing for a matching grant tied to the county’s newly created local housing trust fund.

Mary (staff member) told the board the county had previously contributed $300,000 to the local housing trust fund and that under the Minnesota Housing program the county would be eligible to apply for a matching award of $225,000. She noted the program’s match funds are competitive and likely oversubscribed, but said submitting the application would not prevent the county from requesting the full match amount.

Staff recommended checking all eligible expenditure categories that state statute allows for the match; Mary said the application lists three statute‑authorized uses (grants/loans/loan guarantees for development or rehabilitation, matching other funds, and down payment/rental/homebuyer counseling) and staff marked all three to keep options open. The initial local intent for the fund had been to support an owner‑occupied redevelopment program, Mary said, but the county may use program match funds for several eligible activities if awarded.

The board moved and approved authority for staff to complete and submit the application, which Mary said is due in March. Mary said she will circulate the draft application to commissioners before submission.

Ending: If the county receives the match, staff said the funds would be directed consistent with the local housing trust fund plan and applicable state statutes; commissioners requested to review draft application language before filing.