The 2022 HRA Audit is Now Available

The 2022 HRA Audit was a part of the larger Cook County audit: the HRA us a component unit of government and engaged in limited transactions between May and December of 2022. You can view the larger document HERE. (Pro-tip: if you want to find the HRA-related material, click “Ctrl-F” and type HRA)

Strategic Plan and Year-End Review

Every December the HRA reviews its Strategic Plan to review its progress and to reevaluate our medium and long-term goals and priorities. 2023 was a busy and eventful year! We’ve updated our Strategic Plan to include our short-term efforts and achievements (click HERE to view), but below are the highlights surrounding the HRA’s progress in 2023:

-Secured two large properties, agreements/options for two more, and negotiating for two additional parcels to support new 2024 projects.

-Working with six different development partners on new multifamily and single-family development and a preservation project.

-Secured $600,000 in grant funding and $1.28 million in County ARPA funds for projects.

-Executed two development agreements for a total of 72+ new apartments and single family homes.

-Created partnerships and collaborative efforts with multiple entities, including: Cook County Public Health, the City of Grand Marais, CCLEP, ISD 166, Cook County Land Services, and Hamilton Habitat, among others.

-Created Envelope and Energy Improvement Pilot Program to improve windows and envelope insulation and sealing in primary residences for income-qualifying homeowners.

-Supported One Roof Community Housing as they took over operations of Birchwood Apartments and applied to MHFA for low income housing tax credits to rehabilitate and preserve this important property:
Their application has been funded! Work is set to commence on the rehabilitation of the property in 2024.

Construction costs continue to increase and buildable land and skilled labor are in short supply; bringing new housing to our community grows more difficult with each passing year.

Nevertheless, the HRA is excited for what 2024 will bring and optimistic that we will see new homes being built and occupied for and by our current and future residents. This would not be possible by ourselves.

To all of our wonderful partners, funders, stakeholders and the Cook County Community:

Thank you!

NEWS 10-16-23
Request For Proposals for the Development of 40-Acre property in Schroeder, Minnesota

The HRA is interested in receiving proposals from qualified builders and developers for the construction of residential homes on a 40 acre parcel on Cramer Road.

The RFP with details is available HERE

COMMUNITY UPDATE
HARBORVIEW APARTMENTS

The HRA is aware of concerns in the community about the pending sale of Harborview Apartments in Grand Marais. We are also aware that there is some misunderstanding and confusion around the situation. Here are the facts as we know them as of 10/27/23:

  • According to the County, the property was built in 1978 and consists of 31 units; 27 one bedroom and 4 two bedroom units.

  • Harborview was listed for sale for approximately $2.2M in late February/early March, 2023.

    • The property is under contract and is supposed to close this Friday.

      • This is a legal, private transaction over which neither the HRA nor the City/County has any leverage or right to stop.

      • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reviewed and approved this sale, as is required while the affordability contract remains in place.

    • Once it learned of the property being listed, the HRA sent the listing to non-profit housing owners and developers, trying to find partners who would buy and commit the units to remain affordable.

      • Unfortunately, to our knowledge none of them were interested and they did not pursue the property.

    • The HRA continues to work to bring new housing to community to create new opportunities for affordable units; this is complicated, expensive and takes years.

      • Deeply affordable properties like Harborview are almost exclusively built using low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) today.

      • This year, the HRA is supporting One Roof Community Housing’s application for LIHTC to acquire and preserve Birchwood Apartments as affordable for the next 30+ years.

        • New construction LIHTC projects usually take 3+ years from application to occupancy, and that is assuming they are funded the first time

  • The affordability contract with HUD expires on 6/30/25. This is how most Rural Development and low income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects are done: they are kept affordable for approx. 30 years (depending on the program), after which point the owners have an option to renew the contract and maintain the affordability or not renew it.

    • Harborview must operate as it is now (affordably) until that the contract with HUD expires.

    • The future owner must give at least a 1-year notice to tenants if they intend on changing the rents/convert the property to market rate; this means they could inform tenants of their intention by 6/30/24 at the earliest.

    • Once we know who the buyer is (after the sale closes), we will contact them to learn more about their plans for the property and try to work with them on options to maintain affordability.

  • Unfortunately, the purchase, rehab and increasing of rents is an issue happening across the country to older, affordable properties like Harborview.

  • The property sale has closed and the HRA has connected with the new owner. At present, the new owner is not certain what they intend to do with the property after the HAP contract expires; the HRA is working with them to explore ways to keep existing tenants in place past the 6/30/25 contract date through the use of Section 8 vouchers.

    We will continue to follow the situation closely and update this page if/when we know more.

  • Our Mission, Vision and Values

    Mission
    The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Cook County catalyzes and advocates for the creation of safe, stable and attainable housing opportunities for current and future residents.

    Vision

    The Cook County HRA aspires to help make the following vision a realty:
    Cook County is an inclusive community with attainable housing where residents and families can grow and flourish for generations.
    This is the what drives our Mission and is why we do the work we do.

    Values

    In pursuit of this Vision, the HRA is informed by three critical Values:

    1) Action

    2) Integrity

    3) Inclusion


    Click “Learn More” below for more about us, who we are and where we are going.

Learn More