The Plan at Work: Strategy 1

Preserve and increase the supply of rental housing units for lowest-income residents

In alignment with recommended actions from Strategy 1, Community & Economic Development has begun to implement the work of the plan.

On March 23, 2021, the Board of Commissioners held a workshop on the Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan which included a discussion of a proposed HRA levy. The Board of Commissioners passed the 2022-2023 budget on Dec. 21, 2021 which included $11.1 million that was levied by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in 2022. The levy and the solicitation continue to this day. Read the 2022, 2023 and 2024 annual reports.
Initiated a Deeply Affordable Housing Infrastructure Initiative – a targeted affordable housing fund focused on increasing supply of units 30% of the area median income. The Board of Commissioners authorized an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds totaling $20 million in 2021 and $17 million in 2022 on Aug. 7, 2021. The city of Saint Paul and Ramsey County announced a joint investment of $74 million in ARPA funding for deeply affordable housing in Saint Paul and Ramsey County.
Created a unified solicitation for the Housing Development Solicitation. This aligned available resources to create a one-door application for multi-family development. Funding sources have included CDBG, HOME, ARPA, HRA and other funding. Project awards using this updated unified solicitation occurred in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Preservation projects approved through the annual Housing Development Solicitation.
Ramsey County has also partnered with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund as part of their NOAH II Impact Fund that supports the acquisition and preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing buildings and properties.
Participates in the state-led Interagency Stabilization Group to preserve and stabilize existing affordable housing buildings.
Invested approximately $5 million of Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) to “Support and Stabilize” distressed affordable housing buildings.

Participated in regular meetings with city of Saint Paul, multiple multifamily workgroups hosted by Minnesota Housing, as well as other local housing staff to help meet local affordable housing production and policies outlined in city comprehensive plans.
Include local cities and other funders in underwriting conversations during project review of applications to the annual Housing Development Solicitation.
Chair the Fair Housing Implementation Council to reduce impediments to housing choice and access across the metropolitan region.

Established updated policies for all multi-family housing projects receiving county funding, including requirements to accept housing choice vouchers, advertise available units on HousingLink online search tool and consider tenants enrolled in the Beyond Backgrounds program.

Revamped and restarted our owner-occupied rehab loan program which provides 0% interest, forgivable loans to homeowners seeking renovations. The nonprofit provider who manages the program, Slipstream, connects residents to other energy-related resources.
Established critical repair grant programs for manufactured homes and owner-occupied homes to help improve quality and energy efficiency in these homes.

Initiated Critical Corridors programs that support place-based investments along major transportation, commercial and cultural corridors.
- Planning supports cities and nonprofits as they prepare for future development. In the first three rounds of funding (2022-2024), a little over $450,000 in funding was awarded through this program.
- Development & Infrastructure funds transit-oriented development projects that invest in key corridors through placemaking, increased walkability and public realm improvements. From 2022-2024, almost $4 million in funding was awarded through this program.
- Commercial Corridor Initiative supports small business districts through business facade improvements and placemaking. In funding rounds 2022-2024, about $200,000 in funding was awarded through this program.

Initiated the Emerging and Diverse Developers (EDD) program in the summer of 2023. The EDD program pairs technical assistance to emerging developers with a tailored solicitation supported small scale, community centered, innovative projects that lead to the rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing units. The program continues into its third year. Dozens of new developers have gone through cohort training, and many have begun construction on new affordable units.