Staff from the Metropolitan Council presented an expanded Housing Choice mobility program to the Economic and Development Committee, describing a service model aimed at enabling low-income families with children to move from high-poverty neighborhoods into higher-opportunity areas.

Stephanie Adams, identified in the transcript as a senior administrator for the program, said the program provides individualized housing navigation, landlord outreach, flexible financial assistance and case management designed to improve long-term outcomes for participating children. Adams said the council’s program is the only housing mobility program in the state and that the model follows evidence from established programs elsewhere in the country.

Adams reported enrollment and placement metrics: 107 participants enrolled since October 2024, with 18 placements into high-opportunity areas in the past year and month; six of those placements were in West Allis. She walked the committee through the landlord incentives the program offers: a baseline sign-on bonus (described as $1,250 with flexibility to increase for larger units), retention and security-deposit support, and a loss-mitigation fund described as $2,500 per unit to address mid-lease or end-of-term repairs or vacancy loss. Adams said incentive payments are issued after the county approves the affordability standard and inspection process.

Committee members asked operational questions: whether landlords sign contractually, how claims and repairs are handled, the minimum lease term (answered as 12 months), and how referrals and recertification are coordinated with the housing authority. Adams said contracting for repairs and claims is anticipated and clarified that client participation is voluntary and families are referred by the county on a regular cadence.

Adams and colleagues said they will provide committee members with electronic copies of materials and a video of participant testimonials and plan recruitment events in 2026. Committee members expressed support and interest in partnering on landlord outreach and local recruitment.