$53 million in public housing repairs approved by Minnesota Housing
News | Published on September 30, 2025 at 2:50pm EDT | Author: frazeevergas
0Program supports critical infrastructure and mechanical system updates
Minnesota Housing has approved financing for more than $53 million in repairs and updates to 32 public housing buildings statewide. The resulting work will help preserve more than 3,200 apartments across the state, including 22 projects in Greater Minnesota, including Lakeland Apartments in Perham and 10 in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) provides loans to rehabilitate public housing serving people with low incomes. Program funding comes from a mix of state appropriations and General Obligation Bonds. More than $32 million in funding is from 2023 state appropriations; an additional $21 million is funded through 2025 General Obligation Bonds.
Selected projects are prioritized to address properties with the most immediate need for repairs. Loans will address internal and external repairs, including electric panel, plumbing, roof and foundation updates.
“Public housing is some of the most affordable housing all across the state,” said Jennifer Ho, commissioner of Minnesota Housing. “Addressing these much-needed repairs and upgrades will improve the quality of life for their residents and their communities.”
The following public housing buildings will be repaired and upgraded using POHP funding:
Greater Minnesota:
• Empire Apartments, St. Cloud
• 411 NW 7th Street, Grand Rapids
• Aspen Arms, Cloquet
• Hilltop Homes, Eveleth
• McGregor Scattered Sites, McGregor
• North Point Apartments, Duluth
• Seventh Avenue Apartments, Hibbing
• Northland Apartments, Bemidji
• Oak Court Apartments, Crookston
• Glenhaven Manor, Glenwood
• GrandView Apartments, Morris
• Lakeland Apartments, Perham
• River View Heights, Moorhead
• Jackson Scattered Site, Jackson
• Lakeview Apartments, Willmar
• Nokomis Apartments, Pipestone
• Park Tower Apartments, Hutchinson
• Friendship Village, Fairmont
• Park Apartments, St. James
• Maple Grove Apartments – A Building, Wabasha
• Ross Park Apartments, Sleepy Eye
• Twin Towers, Austin
Metro:
• Ravoux Hi-Rise, St. Paul
• Hamline Hi-Rise, St. Paul
• Cedar High 1611, 1627, 620, Minneapolis
• Snelling Manors, Minneapolis
• Dow Towers, Hopkins
• Hamilton House, St. Louis Park
• John Carroll, South St. Paul
• Nan McKay Hi-Rise, South St. Paul
Sixty-five percent of households that will benefit from repairs had incomes under $20,000 per year.
“This investment is about protecting the homes of families and individuals in McGregor while preserving affordable housing in our community,” said Teresa L. Smude, executive director of the Aitkin County HRA. “Replacing aging roofs is critical to keeping these homes secure, livable and affordable well into the future.”
Minnesota Housing has awarded over $150 million in POHP funding to 163 rehabilitation projects since the program began in 2012. One-third of that funding was awarded this year due to increased investment from the legislature. Recipients applied via a competitive request for proposals process. The board of directors approved the loans at their August 28, 2025, meeting. Read more about the Public Owned Housing Program.
About
Minnesota Housing
Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, works to provide access to safe, stable and accessible housing Minnesotans can afford in a community of their choice. In 2024, the Agency distributed $1.96 billion in resources and served 73,650 households. Visit the Minnesota Housing website to learn more at mnhousing.gov.