SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Minnesota Housing announced a series of awards to preserve and build over 4,700 housing units across Minnesota totaling $348 million, the agency’s largest slate of selections ever that will support 7,000 annual jobs and build more than 4,720 homes across the state. The package includes $35.5 million worth of investments in single family homes and apartments in Duluth.
Rep. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski (DFL – Duluth) and Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) – who voted for the Legislation enabling the investments – cheered the announcement.
“Today is a record-breaker and a systems game-changer! These numbers are big because we went big so everyone can go home with a $1.3 billion Housing Budget passed at the State Legislature this year,” said Rep. Kozlowski. “As a member of the Housing Committee, I was proud to be at the forefront of crafting the housing bill from the ground up to deliver a historic injection of policy and funding that will strengthen tenant’s rights, increase first-gen homeownership resources, inject investments to end youth homelessness, bolster workforce and childcare, and create all kinds and types of housing to tackle the states deep housing shortage that’s driving up the cost for all Minnesotans. Together, we’re working to ensure Duluth and Greater Minnesota are not left behind but are at the forefront of this housing movement to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable, and secure place to call home and live their fullest lives.”
“Everyone deserves a safe, supportive place to live, but Minnesota’s housing crisis has continued to grow, with both homeownership and rental housing out of reach for too many,” Rep. Olson said. “After many years of the Legislature’s investments in housing falling far short of the need, this year, DFLers stepped up to deliver bold, generational investments. These projects on the horizon in Duluth are incredibly exciting, and will help protect the health, safety, and economic security of families.”
The 2023 Legislature passed a $1.3 billion Housing Budget, the largest in state history, enabling investments like those announced today. The budget funded initiatives including housing infrastructure, first-generation homebuyers assistance, the “Bring It Home” rental assistance program, community housing stabilization, homelessness prevention, workforce housing development, and manufactured home lending grants.
DFL lawmakers worked to take a holistic approach by putting housing in the context of everyday life, no matter where an individual may reside. Transportation, education, health, and job opportunities are some factors utilized to create a broader picture of what housing development looks like for Minnesotans. Investments in these priorities will close economic and racial housing gaps and will help create a future where every Minnesotan can thrive in a home they can afford.
Minnesota Housing announced funding for the following projects in Duluth:
Single Family Homes
Duluth Rehabilitation and Fuel Oil Conversion Program - $150,000
One Roof Community Housing Down Payment Program - $525,000
One Roof Community Housing: Acquisition, Rehab and Resale - $4,503,080
One Roof Community Housing: Harbor Highlands (Phase 1) - $3,211,500
One Roof Community Housing: Harbor Highlands (Phase 2) - $3,026,500
One Roof Community Housing: New Construction (Phase 1) - $2,546,147
One Roof Community Housing: New Construction (Phase 2) - $1,400,000
Apartments
New San Marco Apartments - $10,943,000
Welch Place Apartments - $9,238,000
More information about the 2023 funding selections, including complete project financing details and photos, can be found at Minnesota Housing’s website.