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Nonprofit and corrections crew tout 75 affordable homes in Douglas County; nonprofit asks board to consider a higher DOC reimbursement rate
Summary
West Central Minnesota Community Action reported 75 affordable homes built in Douglas County using Department of Corrections crew labor and asked the board to reconsider a proposed increase in DOC per-inmate daily reimbursement; staff said the program retains subsidies via a community land trust and helps defendants gain skills.
West Central Minnesota Community Action representatives updated the Douglas County Board on their affordable-homebuilding program, which uses Department of Corrections (DOC) crew labor under a county partnership.
Missy Becker and housing director Joe (named in the packet) said the program has produced 75 affordable homes in Douglas County, managed under a community land trust to ensure long-term affordability. Becker gave an example: a home that appraised at $323,000 sold for $223,000 because program subsidies stay with the property; resale formulas keep affordability in place while allowing owners to retain some equity for improvements.
The nonprofit asked the board to reconsider the county's contribution to the DOC crew reimbursement rate. The DOC crew arrangement supplies a crew leader and labor; program costs include a DOC contract and county contributions. Becker said the program's local subsidy and grant leverage have created about $720,000 in permanent housing subsidy in the county over the past five years.
Commissioners asked about sales-tax exemptions for nonprofit construction materials (Becker said the nonprofit does not pay sales tax) and about contractor oversight; staff explained the DOC provides the crew and the nonprofit contracts for other services. Board members praised the partnership and noted the program provides job skills for crew members and saves county dollars by reducing recidivism and housing instability.
No immediate board vote was taken; staff suggested county jail leadership and budget officials be consulted about reimbursement levels and next steps during budget planning.
