NW MN Multi-County Housing Redevelopment Authority

Northwest Minnesota Multi-County HRA utilizes available federal, state and local resources to serve the residents of Northwest Minnesota by working to upgrade and maintain the existing housing stock, encouraging construction of new, affordable housing for low and moderate income families and seniors, promoting economic development efforts and providing assistance to communities in the area through community development programs (NW MN Multi-County HRA website).

The following information has been taken from http://www.nwmnhra.org. Please refer to it for additional information about the programs.

Home Ownership

First Time Homebuyers Program

Participants must meet income and program guidelines
Available in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties
Funding is made available annually by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Your local bank may have information, or call Lee at (218) 637-2431

Community Revitalization Fund

Deferred loans and low interest loans may be available through the CRF program
- Up to $10,000 in deferred/low interest loans will be available to assist qualified applicants with gap financing (down payment assistance).
Available in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties
For people interested in building new or buying existing homes
Intent is to assist local employers with another tool to attract and retain workers
NW MN Multi-County HRA administers the seven county loan pool that is used as a revolving loan pool for future low interest loans.
For more information, please call (218) 637-2435 or email tina@nwmnhra.org.

ECHO Loans

Funding that must be used for down payment assistance to purchase or build a home.
Applicants must have a gross annual income no more than $52,800 for a family of four.
- Larger families have an increase in income allowance
Applicants can receive up to $3,000 at 5% interest for the first ten years, deferred for up to thirty years or until you send your home
There are also additional provisions that may allow a higher down payment. Please call (218) 637-2435 for more information.

Minnesota Urban & Rural Homesteading Program (MURL)

Program funds are used to purchase vacant homes that are in repairable condition and do necessary improvements
There are 2 goals to the program
- Provide homeownership to first time buyers that are "at risk"
- Assist in stabilizing declining neighborhoods
A first time "at risk" homebuyer is an individual and/or spouse that have not owned a home during the three year period before the purchase of a home under the program and have been either homeless, under public assistance, unable to afford homeownership without this program and/or is lacking the ability to meet mortgage industry underwriting standards for traditional mortgage financing.
Stipulations include the following:
- Acquisition is from the HRA on a contract for deed, 0% down payment, 0% interest and a maximum of thirty years.
- Payment includes only principal plus escrowed taxes and home owner insurance
- Payment is 25% of buyers monthly adjusted gross income

Rental Renovation

Rental Rehabilitation Loan

To receive a MHFA rehabilitation loan, the rental property must be in one of the following counties; Kittson, Marshall ,Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.
Individuals, partnerships or corporations may apply for a loan.
- Principals of the organization must personally guarantee the debt in cases of partnerships or corporations
- Owners must have equity in the property
- The building must have a positive cash flow after rehabilitation
A building must have been used for residential housing in the past five years
- Mixed-use buildings are eligible, provided the majority of the building is used for residential purposes.
Loan funds cannot be used for acquiring properties, adding units, refinancing existing debt, converting non-residential space into residential space or new construction.
- Other ineligible improvements include constructing new garages or recreational facilities
Owners must have a good credit history and be financially secure.
For additional questions and information, please call (218) 637-2431 or email john@nwmnhra.org.

HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program

HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program is for the rehabilitation of existing rental properties in the Multi-County HRA's service area.
- For projects needing less than $100,000 in construction costs, grant funds are provided in an amount not to exceed $14,000 per unit or 75% of the total development costs (whichever is less).
- For projects needing $100,000 or more in construction costs, a 0% interest rate loan is provided with the payments being deferred to match the term of the existing mortgage. MHFA forgives the loan if the owner complies with the program requirements for the five-year compliance period.
Eligible properties may contain one or more housing units.
- Fifty-one percent or more of the gross area of the property must be residential space.
- Tenants must meet income guidelines, falling within the percentage of area median income.
Eligible parties include private individuals, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) and HRAs able to provide appropriate documentation showing clear ownership of the property.
To receive a MHFA Rehabilitation Loan, your rental property must be in on of the following counties: Beltrami, Clearwater, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.

Home Renovation

Rehabilitation Loans for Homeowners

Household's annual adjusted gross income must be $18,000 or less.
Loan provides financing up to $15,000 to make basic permanent repairs to a home without interest or monthly payments.
- If your gross adjusted income is $10,000 or less and a resident of your home has been diagnosed with a physical disability, the home may be eligible for a loan that provides financing up to $20,000 to make basic permanent improvements to help a disabled person live more independently and safely at home.
- This type of loan must be paid if you sell, transfer or more from the property or at the end of thirty years.
You must own the property that you are improving. It must be the principal place of residence and taxes must be current.
Net value of assets must not be greater than $25,000. This excludes "personal" property, the property to be improved including two surrounding acres or two platted lots and one motor vehicle.
May be used for basic and necessary deferred maintenance improvements that make homes more livable and energy efficient such as:
- Mechanical - electrical, plumbing and heating systems
- Structural - roofs, foundations, flooring and stairways
- Energy - insulation, windows and doors
- Compliance - applicable housing codes
May be used to meet the unique needs of a person with a disability, such as: ramps or mechanical lifts, widened doorways, bathroom fixtures/layout and kitchen/laundry modifications.
To receive a MHFA Rehabilitation Loan, you must live in Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake or Roseau County. For more information, please contact Tina at (218) 637-2435 or email tina@nwmnhra.org.

Community Development

Federal Home Loan Bank Grant

Rehabilitate owner occupied homes for low income residents in the region
Area served includes Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties.
If eligible, you can receive up to $7,000 and must have a rehabilitation cost of no less than $10,000.
- Income limit is based on 50% of the state median
- Grant is forgiven over a five year period starting the day of completion of the rehabilitation.
Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please call (218) 637-2435 or email tina@nwmnhra or ken@nwmnhra.

Rent Assistance

Section 8 Rental Assistance Program

Helps income eligible families or individuals pay rent
- Eligible families and individuals select their own rental units, and pay 30% to 40% of their gross income towards rent and utilities.
Coverage area includes: Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk (excluding Crookston and East Grand Forks), Red Lake, Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties.
Each applicant must live in a unit using their voucher for one year in the area this HRA serves before moving with the voucher outside of the HRA service area.
Program is open to lower income families, elderly and handicapped individuals and single individuals.
Income limits are as follows
- One person household = $30,850 income limit
- Two person household = $35,300 income limit
- Three person household = $39,700 income limit
- Four person household = $44,100 income limit
- Five person household = $47,650 income limit
- Six person household = $51,150 income limit
- Seven person household = $54,700 income limit
- Eight person household = $58,200 income limit
- Limits change annually and vary with each county
Completed and approved applications are placed on a waiting list. Selections are not first come, first served, but is based on income, family composition, funding available and categories needed.
Downloadable application is available here. For more information please call (218) 637-2431 or email stacy@nwmnhra.org.

Public Housing

Tenants under this program pays 30% of their adjusted income towards rent and utilities
Rental units are owned by the HRA. Rental income is used to defray the maintenance and management costs of owning and operating the units.
24 three bedroom homes are found in: Climax, Erskine, Fertile, Hallock, Kennedy, Lake Bronson, Lancaster, Newfolden, Oslo and St. Hilaire. All homes have full basements and a one-stall detached garage.
The housing authority owns six buildings with one bedroom apartments in: Badger, Fertile, Fisher, Fosston and Middle River. All buildings are one level with accommodations including a community room with a complete kitchen and dining area, laundry room, restroom near the community room and a security door system.
For more information, please call (218) 637-2431 or email adam@nwmnhra.org. A downloadable application is available here.

HOME OWNERSHIP

RENTAL RENOVATION

HOME RENOVATION

COMMUNITY DEV.

RENT ASSISTANCE