HF 2538

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/27/2017 10:02am

A bill for an act
relating to housing; appropriating money for workforce housing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CHALLENGE PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $18,925,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $18,925,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of the Housing Finance Agency for the economic
development and housing challenge program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33.
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new text begin (b)(1) Of the amount appropriated, $6,000,000 each year is for competitive grants targeted
for housing in communities and regions that have:
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new text begin (i) low housing vacancy rates;
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new text begin (ii) cooperatively developed a plan that identifies current and future housing needs;
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new text begin (iii) evidence of anticipated job expansion; or
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new text begin (iv) a significant portion of area employees who commute more than 30 miles between
their residence and their place of employment.
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new text begin (2) Among comparable housing proposals, preference must be given to proposals that:
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new text begin (i) include a meaningful contribution from area employers that reduces the need for
deferred loan or grant funds from state resources;
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new text begin (ii) include federal funding, if available, or other nonstate funding; or
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new text begin (iii) provide housing opportunities for an expanded range of household incomes within
a community or that provide housing opportunities for a wide range of incomes within the
development.
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