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HRA pivots 'Inspiring Communities' work toward small-scale development and 'missing middle' housing
Summary
Staff presented a plan to transition the Inspiring Communities single-family program into a Small-Scale Development Team focused on missing-middle and mixed-use opportunities, run one final RFP in early 2025 for six time-sensitive properties, and use the HRA disposition policy to spur developer-led proposals.
The HRA heard a status update on the Inspiring Communities program and a proposed pivot toward a Small-Scale Development Team focused on higher-density and missing-middle housing and mixed-use projects.
Principal project manager Joe Mussoff recounted the program history (work stemming from the Invest St. Paul initiative and approximately 300 acquired and redeveloped properties) and said the team will run one final Inspiring Communities RFP in early 2025 for six HRA-owned properties with time-sensitive funding constraints. Mussoff said the HRA intends to move away from frequent formulaic RFPs and instead use the existing disposition policy to publicize alternative project approaches and pull forward developer-led proposals, enabling more mixed-use and missing-middle outcomes and encouraging "developing developers." Mussoff said the internal team will be called the "small scale development team" and intends to center community partners and capacity-building.
Commissioners asked for more data on unit types and buyer demographics; Mussoff offered to provide a project breakdown and demographic information for buyers. Mussoff also cited examples of developer partners who have collaborated with the program. The director clarified that the pivot does not require changes to disposition policy and that staff will return with details about how the new approach will work operationally.
