Title
RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST BY CENTER CITY HOUSING CORPORATION TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE WINDWOOD APARTMENTS REHABILITATION PROJECT.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to express support for Center City Housing Corporation’s request for funding to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for low-income housing tax credits to rehabilitate the affordable Windwood Apartments.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution expresses the city council’s support of an application to be submitted to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) by Center City Housing Corporation for low-income housing tax credits that may be awarded by MHFA for the rehabilitation of the existing 70-unit multi-family townhome complex in the Duluth Heights neighborhood. The deadline for submission of the application to MHFA is July 16, 2020. MHFA intends to finalize their funding decisions by December, 2020.
The proposed Windwood Apartments project calls for rehabilitation of the existing 70-unit multi-family townhome complex located at 807 Upham Road. Funding would support rehabilitation of all units and will improve the building envelope, upgrade interior furnishes, resolve water and drainage issues on the site, create new community gathering spaces, enhance accessibility, increase safety and security, and provide supportive services. The existing HUD Multi-family Section 8 Rental Assistance Payments Contract will be preserved. Rehabilitation will result in a reduction of units to 67. This is the result of addressing water management to prevent erosion and to add four (4) accessible homes. All units will be subject to rent and income restrictions and will maintain affordability for at least 30 years. As part of the application to MN Housing, Center City Housing will add four (4) High Priority Homeless units and four (4) units for persons with disabilities. Center City Housing will provide supportive services.
MHFA requires tax credit applicants for housing developments in Duluth to receive the support of the city council. The support is required to assure that a given proposal is a priority for the City of Duluth and that it meets locally identified housing needs. A 2019 Maxfield Research Inc. housing analysis reported that Duluth could absorb up to 3,509 additional units of affordable housing by 2024. The demand for this type of housing has been further substantiated through staff research and analysis during both the Image Duluth 2035 comprehensive plan update and annual Housing Indicator Reports.