In a significant boost for affordable housing, the Metropolitan Council has laid out nearly $10 million in grants aimed at fostering more efficient land use and bringing economic opportunities closer to home for many. The grants, part of the Livable Communities initiative, are intended to create connections between jobs, housing, and transit, as well as offer a leg up to those seeking a fair wage. This round has seen a notable list of beneficiary cities, among them Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Edina, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul, as stated in Metrocouncil.
"These grants from the Livable Communities Fund encourage communities to take on projects that advance regional priorities, including connecting jobs, transit, services, and housing,” noted Sarah Berke, senior manager of the Livable Communities program, as per Metropolitan Council.
The mix of projects lined up for the 2023 grants illustrates this multifaceted approach. There's substantial funding for the New Generations LLC development in Brooklyn Center, which aspires to be a safe harbor for veterans and those grappling with homelessness or disabilities. Further funding is channeled into Minneapolis' Little Earth community, a vital enclave for the nurturing of tribal affiliations.
Other noteworthy grant recipients include a dynamic housing development in Edina, along with an innovative blend of housing and fitness amenities slated for Maplewood’s Gladstone Village. Brooklyn Center, in a bid to revolutionize its economy, is nurturing a former strip mall into a catalyst for business incubation.
Eligibility for the Livable Communities funding is a competitive affair; this year saw participation from 75 cities and one township, all vying for a chance to transform their communities with these grants. The choices made this round reflect an earnest effort to respond to regional housing and development needs, making for a more connected and robust Twin Cities metropolitan area, according to the Metropolitan Council.
