Anoka County HRA committee approves 2026 action-plan recommendations, accepts first-time ESG allocation and funds Elevate Hope House

Anoka County’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority committee on April 28 voted to approve staff recommendations for the HRA portion of the Dakota County Consortium’s 2026 Annual Action Plan and accepted federal allocations that total more than $5.5 million.

Josh Beck, assistant director for community development, told trustees the plan centers on three funding streams: Community Development Block Grant funds of $3,149,350, HOME funds of $2,289,202 and Emergency Solutions Grant funds of $146,425. "We have the 3 different funding sources that we're talking about in this public comment period," Beck said, describing a recommended slate of 27 activities including nonprofit projects, neighborhood infrastructure, public services, affordable housing development or preservation, countywide housing rehabilitation programs and a down-payment assistance program.

The committee’s approval sends the HRA’s recommended allocations to the county board for its May 12 consideration. Trustee Jepsen moved to approve the recommendations and Trustee Meissner seconded; the roll call recorded Reiner, Gamache, Schulte, Jepsen, Meissner and Heinrich as voting Aye and the motion passed unanimously.

Trustee Jeff praised HRA staff for making the money available to projects. "It's so refreshing to see those dollars being put to the views that they're supposed to," he said, thanking staff by name for their work in shaping the programs and applications.

The committee also debated a separate funding decision for Elevate Hope House. Trustee Heinrich said he would support the staff recommendations generally but would abstain on the Elevate Hope House allocation: "I will be in support of a, and I will not be voting on 7 b," he said. Trustee Schulte moved to approve the funding for Elevate Hope House and Trustee Jepsen seconded; the motion passed with one abstention (Heinrich) and the remainder voting Aye.

Staff noted that receiving ESG funds is new for Anoka County. A staff member said this appears to be the first time the county has received an ESG allocation and cautioned that managing a one-time $150,000-ish allocation will require added staffing, new system access and coordination with existing HUD systems; if the county cannot sustain program administration they may return the funds to the state for redistribution.

The committee’s approvals include several consent-agenda contract actions that were passed earlier in the meeting: authority to execute contract CCON26192; a lease amendment to renew through June 30, 2029 with the state Department of Administration acting for the benefit of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; an agreement with MB Mentors for up to $5,000 to support second-stage businesses; an increase to financial-advisor contract CSCON2600000477 with Ehlers and Associates Inc. to a not-to-exceed $50,000 two-year term (01/01/2025–12/31/2026); and raising the maximum owner-occupied rehabilitation loan from $24,999 to $37,500.

The HRA committee adjourned after completing the votes; the items approved by the committee will be forwarded to the Anoka County board for final action on May 12.