Programs

Public Housing – The HRA owns, manages and maintains 179 Public Housing units.  The Shady Oaks High-rise is a 129 unit structure designated for families and individuals age 50 or older and/or disabled
(all high-rise units are one-bedroom rentals).  The HRA Public Housing portfolio also includes 50 scattered site rentals that are two, three and four-bedroom single family homes and duplexes.  Rent in the Public Housing Program is based on 30% of adjusted monthly household income or on the property flat rent.  Every other year the Public Housing properties are inspected and scored by contractors for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  In 2006 the HRA received a rating of “High Performer” from HUD, the highest rating possible for unit physical conditions standards.  Public Housing Applications are available at the HRA office at 800 Fourth Avenue South in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  Please call 507-377-4375 with any other questions regarding applying for Public Housing Assistance.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) – The HRA provides 155 units of HCV assistance and has a written agreement with Freeborn County that allows the utilization of the HCV Program throughout the county.  The HCV Program provides rental assistance payments to a private landlord on behalf of an eligible family, with the family portion of the rent based on 30% of adjusted monthly income.  Section 8 HCV Applications are available at the HRA office at 800 Fourth Avenue South in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  Landlords interested in more information regarding the Section 8 HCV Program are encouraged to contact the HRA office for further no obligation information.  Please call 507-377-4375 with any other questions about HCV assistance.

Community Activity Set Aside (CASA) and the American Dream Down-payment Initiative (ADDI) – The CASA Program is a first-time home-buyers mortgage program supported by funding through Minnesota Housing (MHFA).  The HRA is part of a local CASA partnership that includes Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors (SEMAR).  The CASA mortgage provides a competitive interest rate and a 40 year mortgage option for the purchase of properties in a designated target area in Albert Lea.  The ADDI Program is a secondary mortgage tool that is available to qualified CASA mortgage families and provides up to $5,000 in down-payment and closing cost assistance.  For more information about the CASA/ADDI programs contact Wells Fargo Home Mortgage at 507-373-6259.

Minnesota Cities Participation Program (MCPP) – The HRA administers a local MCPP Program that provides low interest mortgages to qualified first-time home-buyers in Freeborn County.  These programs are available through local MHFA approved lenders.  For a listing of local (Greater Minnesota) MHFA lenders please go to: http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/homes/HO_GM_List.pdf

Program Development and Expansion – The HRA is currently exploring/developing: the purchase of Rural Development (RD) Housing properties at multiple locations in Freeborn County, working with County Government to administer a flood mitigation grant targeted to acquisition and demolition of two homes located in a flood area in the County, and other purchase, rehabilitation and resell oriented housing programs.