Minneapolis Public Housing Authority

In the early 2000s, Jocelyn and her kids needed a safe and affordable place to call home when she found MPHA. Today, Jocelyn is a homeowner, she is loving her career as a property manager at MPHA, and her kids are all grown up. Learn more about her incredible story: bit.ly/MPHAJocelynBrown

Yesterday, MPHA leaders presented an update on the agency’s 2024 housing levy budget along with submitting the agency’s new, board-approved five-year levy capital plan to the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET). Highlights from the agency’s 2024 levy budget includes dedicating a portion of funding towards the agency’s next major high-rise renovation, directing funds towards two scattered site infill projects, and modernizing elevator systems in two high-rises. Read more about the agency’s progress in deploying these critical housing resources and to learn about the important work MPHA is proposing in its five-year (’25-’29) capital plan: bit.ly/2024LevyUpdate

MPHA’s HCV team held a raffle at their annual party earlier this summer and Denise Hudson was the winner of one of the prizes: two Minnesota State Fair tickets! Denise is excited to attend the fair and try new food items with her friends, as she has done for years, and now she is getting in the door for free 🎟

Over the past several weeks Ceil Maus-Conn and Samia Abdulle of City of Minneapolis’ Urban Scholars have worked diligently supporting the agency in delivering safe, stable and affordable housing to the community’s most vulnerable residents. MPHA staff wishes you all the best in your future endeavors and continued education!

ED/CEO Abdi Warsame visited the Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center’s staff last week! This team works to ensure the center is serving the community’s seniors wholistically through art, music, physical activity, and more. The Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center is a hub for the area’s seniors and conveniently looked for many MPHA residents to take advantage of.    Abdi will be meeting up with different groups of staff to recognize their commitment to the agency’s work, for team members to share their questions and ideas, and allow staff to get to know one another better. Which team will be next for Abdi’s #MonthlyMuffinMeetup?

Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Housing Deputy Commissioner Rachel Robinson, Ilhan Omar, City of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minneapolis City Councilmember Robin Wonsley joined MPHA staff and residents to commemorate the agency completing the installation of fire suppression systems in all 42 MPHA high-rises. The agency achieved the important milestone more than a year ahead of its stated goal, a direct result of funding partnerships at nearly every level of government and an unwavering dedication by the MPHA team. Since 2020, MPHA has invested nearly $14 million to install fire suppression systems. Additionally, Minnesota Housing contributed $2.4 million in 2021, Mayor Frey and the City of Minneapolis contributed $2.15 million across 2021 ($1.15M) and 2022 ($1M), Senators Smith, Klobuchar, and Congresswoman Omar secured a $2 million direct federal appropriation in 2022, and finally, Minneapolis City Councilmember Robin Wonsley championed the final $1.2 million needed in the City’s 2023 budget. Read more: bit.ly/MPHAFireSuppression

A draft of the agency’s 2025 MTW Annual Plan, a significant amendment on the 2024 MTW Plan, and the public housing Statement of Policies are now open for public comment. You can submit feedback now through September 4 at 4:30PM: bit.ly/MPHAMTW2024 

MPHA will be hosting its annual MTW informational meeting next week. Learn more about what MPHA’s goals and priorities are for 2025 and share your voice August 7 at the Cora McCorvey Center: bit.ly/MPHAMTW2024

Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) are among the most effective tools MPHA has to help build new and sustain deeply affordable housing across Minneapolis. MPHA recently awarded 85 PBVs to six different housing developments across Minneapolis. Across the six projects, a total of 389 new homes at various affordability levels have been proposed. At least 75 percent of MPHA’s 85 PBV units will be available to residents at or below 30 percent Area Median Income (AMI), with the remaining being reserved for those at or below 50 percent AMI.    Since 2019, MPHA PBVs have accounted for more than half of all deeply affordable homes built in Minneapolis. Further, the agency has committed to helping develop at least 150 new units of deeply affordable housing each year over the next four years as a part of the agency’s five-year strategic plan.     Learn about the six developments awarded PBVs: bit.ly/Summer24PBVs.

Nothing says summer like a BBQ party! Several MPHA teams have thrown summer BBQ parties over the past month to build camaraderie and create lasting memories. One team even showed its team spirit through a family feud styled game and karaoke!