MPHA outlines levy-backed plan to chip away at $290 million capital backlog; BET receives report

The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority told the Board of Estimate and Taxation on Aug. 13 that it will use the city's $5 million annual housing tax levy alongside state, federal and other funds to begin addressing an estimated $290 million backlog of capital needs across its portfolio.

MPHA Executive Director Ebdi Warsami said the agency serves “roughly around 5% of the city's population” and that “around 28,000 individuals benefit from the programs MPHA serves.” He told the BET that MPHA's housing stock includes 42 high rises, a large scattered‑site portfolio, 184 units at Glendale and a 16‑unit townhome development in Minnehaha, and that the estimated unmet capital need is “approximately $290,000,000,” rising by about $25,000,000 per year.

The presentation outlined work already completed and projects planned. Warsami credited multiple funding sources for recent work: a state award of about $1.35 million used on scattered‑site repairs; a city housing tax levy of $5,000,000 a year; city budget allocations of…