The Met Council is channeling $9.8 million of its Livable Communities grants into the development of deeply affordable housing and into projects that will create jobs, totaling 823 rental units and 170 jobs, respectively. Originally reported by Metrocouncil.org, seven cities including Brooklyn Center, Little Canada, Minneapolis, Richfield, Saint Paul, Vadnais Heights, and Woodbury stand to benefit from this initiative. In an effort to bolster housing options for lower-income families and individuals facing homelessness, the Council is dedicating a significant portion of these new units to those earning 60% or less of the area median income.
Under the Met Council policy, efforts are made to equitably distribute funds, ensuring that no more than 40% of grant money in any given round goes to Minneapolis and Saint Paul combined. It's worth noting that the Council had received a total of 18 applications from 12 cities and agencies. The Livable Communities Advisory Committee, together with Council staff, reviewed and scored the projects, made up of local government officials and experts from various fields ranging from finance to community engagement.
Among the projects that received funding, the Community Corner in Brooklyn Center was awarded $1.5 million to create housing for veterans and people with disabilities, among others, with additional commercial space and vocational services. "I am particularly excited about the number of deeply affordable units in these projects and the focus on youth experiencing homelessness," Council Member Toni Carter told Metrocouncil.org. Projects like A Home of Our Own in Minneapolis underline the Council's commitment to serving marginalized communities, with $1 million allocated for housing homeless LGBTQIA+ youth, complete with essential support services.
Other notable projects include the Cheatham Apartments in Minneapolis receiving $1.71 million to construct mixed-income apartments with easy access to the METRO Blue Line, with a priority for homeless families. The development of these projects echoes the Council’s approach towards a more inclusive and jobs-connected community planning. Saint Paul's GloryVille exemplifies mixed-income affordable housing solutions, with 38 of the 87 units set for those earning 30% or less of AMI. The spectrum of support continues with CAPI Immigrant Opportunity Center in Brooklyn Center, which garners $1.75 million for a multifaceted site including business and entrepreneur support services for the BIPOC community.
These allocations represent a conscious stride towards more inclusive, equitably distributed affordable housing across the Metro area. Eligibility for the Livable Communities funding is exclusive to local governments that participate in the program, which features 76 cities and one township in 2024. The Met Council's targeted grant selections are a testament to a strategic approach towards creating vibrant, sustainable communities that bridge the gap between housing affordability and quality of life.
