Minnesota Housing and its partners are pleased to announce the 2023 Consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP) are now open for applications! The annual Consolidated RFP process makes funding available to help build and preserve homes that are affordable in communities throughout Minnesota. With your partnership, we can help Minnesotans live and thrive in a safe, stable home they can afford in a community of their choice.
Read on for the latest guidance for Single Family and Multifamily applications and for contacts for technical assistance.
In this eNews:
Minnesota Housing’s 2023 Consolidated Request for Proposals are Now Open for Applications!
2023 Single Family Consolidated Request for Proposals
The Single Family Consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP) is a competitive process that provides funding through the Community Homeownership Impact Fund (Impact Fund) Program, an umbrella name for a variety of Minnesota Housing’s limited funding resources for single-family housing, including the Economic Development and Housing Challenge Fund (EDHC), Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program funds, Housing Infrastructure Bond proceeds, and other resources, when available. The goal of the Impact Fund is to increase the supply of affordable, owner-occupied, single-family housing, while maintaining the safety and habitability of existing owner-occupied, single-family homes in communities throughout Minnesota. Funds are available for developers and administrators of single-family, owner-occupied affordable housing activities throughout the state.
Important Dates
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Thursday, July 13 at noon Central Time: 2023 Single Family Consolidated RFP application deadline
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December 2023: Minnesota Housing board selection meeting
Application Tools
Contact and Technical Assistance
2023 Multifamily Consolidated Request for Proposals/2024 Housing Tax Credits Round 1
The Multifamily Consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP) is a competitive funding round, offered once per year, which provides a means of "one stop shopping" by consolidating and coordinating multiple multifamily housing funding resources into one application process. It deploys significant capital funds and is the primary mechanism that Minnesota Housing uses to award and allocate federal and state resources. In accordance with Minnesota Housing’s Qualified Action Plan (QAP), the emphasis is on serving under-resourced communities, long-term affordability and participation in the development process by Black-, Indigenous-, People of Color-, and Women-owned/led businesses.
Thank you to all our funding partners involved in this Multifamily Consolidated RFP, including the Metropolitan Council and Saint Paul Public Housing Agency.
Important Dates
The 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 dates are tentative and may change.
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Wednesday, March 29: Early application materials and pre-application released for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance (HUD Section 811 PRA) Program and Innovative Construction Techniques (ICT)
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Wednesday, April 12 (TODAY): 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 published and Intent to Apply and application materials available in the Multifamily Customer Portal
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Thursday, April 27: Pre-applications due for HUD Section 811 PRA and ICT
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Wednesday, May 10: Applicants will be notified of HUD Section 811 PRA and ICT eligibility
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Thursday, May 11 at noon Central Time: Intent to Apply deadline – required for all 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 applications. There is no cost to submit the Intent to Apply.
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Thursday, July 13 at noon Central Time: 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 application deadline. NOTE: The application fee is also due by this date.
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December 2023: Minnesota Housing board selection meeting
Application Tools
Contact and Technical Assistance
Review Available Funding Sources
Funding for Single Family Projects
Homeownership Funding:
- Grant funds
- Deferred loan funds
- Interim construction loans
The Single Family Consolidated RFP will include funding for the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development program.
Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIB) Proceeds Deferred Loans:
- Value gap (difference between the total development costs and the after-improved appraised value) for all program eligible entities
- Owner-occupied rehabilitation direct costs for all program eligible entities
- Costs of land acquisition, demolition and utility connections for community land trusts only
Single Family Eligible Uses
- Affordability Gap*: Deferred loans or grants to homebuyers to cover the difference between the purchase price of a home and the first mortgage for which a homebuyer qualifies.
- Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation: Deferred loans or grant to homeowners to cover the costs of home rehabilitation or to write down Community Fix Up interest rates.
- Value Gap: Grants to administrators to cover the difference between the total development cost and appraised value of a unit.
- New construction of single-family homes
- Acquisition, rehabilitation, resale of single-family homes
- Tribal Indian Housing Program (TIHP)*: Grants to TIHP administrators to recapitalize TIHP revolving funds.
* Not eligible for Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development Program.
Funding for Multifamily Projects
Rental Projects:
- $15M (estimated) in HTCs for 2024 HTC Round 1
- Low and Moderate Income Rental (LMIR) amortizing first mortgages (applicants may apply through the Multifamily Consolidated RFP or can contact us separately to inquire about mortgages outside of the Multifamily Consolidated RFP)
- Bridge Loans
- Deferred loans are subject to legislative approval, including but not limited to:
- Economic Development and Housing Challenge (EDHC), including the American Indian set aside
- Flexible Financing for Capital Costs (FFCC)
- Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIB)
- Preservation Affordable Rental Investment Fund (PARIF)
- HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)
- National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF)
- HUD Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program
- Funding Partners, including the Metropolitan Council Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) and Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) Project Based Vouchers (PBV)
Project Eligibility, Feasibility and Organizational Capacity
Minnesota Housing will select a variety of project types throughout Minnesota communities and prioritize projects by community need, feasibility, organizational capacity, reasonableness of funding request and alignment with Minnesota Housing’s strategic priorities. Learn more about our guiding principles and priorities in Minnesota Housing’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. We encourage proposals for a variety of project types including:
- Permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities
- Preservation projects (both rental and homeownership)
- New construction or affordable homes for purchase
- Workforce housing
- Senior housing
Please review and analyze the Community Profiles data to help identify areas that fit the geographic criteria.
Funding Recommendations
After applications are received and reviewed, all funding recommendations are subject to approval by the Minnesota Housing board of directors. The selection date is anticipated to occur at the December 2023 board of directors meeting and the date will be posted on Minnesota Housing’s Board of Directors webpage. Funding partner proposal recommendations will be made at their respective board meetings.
Don't Forget to Register: 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 Technical Assistance Kickoff Event
In preparation for the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1, you're invited to virtual Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC Round 1 Technical Assistance kickoff events on Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19.
Day 1
Tuesday, April 18
9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Central Time
Day 1 content will focus on information for applicants new to the Multifamily Consolidated RFP process but all are welcome! The presentation will include an introduction to the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1, as well as underwriting, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (HTC), Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIB), and supportive housing.
Day 2
Wednesday, April 19
9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Central Time
The day 2 content will focus on new items and updates for the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC funding rounds.
Agendas for both events will be included in the confirmation email you receive upon registering.
If you're unable to attend either day, sessions will be recorded and available on Minnesota Housing’s Multifamily Consolidated Request for Proposals/Housing Tax Credits Funding Round webpage at a later date.
Questions?
For questions, contact mhfa.consolidated.rfp@state.mn.us.
NOTE: The Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC Round 1 Technical Assistance Kickoff Event is not a replacement for more focused, project-specific technical assistance. Please complete and submit a Technical Assistance Request Form and you will be connected with a staff person who can discuss specifics about your proposal and answer your questions.
Reminder: Apply for Funding through the Multifamily Customer Portal
All 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 applicants must apply through the Multifamily Customer Portal. The Multifamily Customer Portal facilitates the application and post-selection process for developers seeking funding from Minnesota Housing for rental housing that is affordable. To learn more about the Multifamily Customer Portal and to request a user account, visit the Multifamily Customer Portal Resources webpage.
2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1
- HUD Section 811 PRA Pre-Application checklist
- Innovative Construction Techniques Pre-Application checklist
- Application checklist
- Funding partner application for Metropolitan Council’s LHIA funds
2023 Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs)
The funding partner application for Saint Paul PHA PBVs is available through the Multifamily Customer Portal. Scroll down in this eNews for additional details on Saint Paul PHA’s PBVs, how to apply, and other important information.
View Updated Multifamily Customer Portal Tutorials
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What’s New in 2023? – Learn about changes to the Apply for Funding Wizard, Project Checklists, and the Scoring Wizard to support the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1.
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Apply for Funding – Learn how to get started in the Multifamily Customer Portal. This tutorial also walks through how to find open funding rounds, create a project using the Apply for Funding Wizard and request project team access.
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Intent to Apply – Learn what the Intent to Apply is and the steps you need to complete to meet the deadline. This tutorial also covers how to withdraw a project from consideration.
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Project Checklists – Learn how to select project characteristics, manage checklist items, and submit a checklist.
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Scoring Wizard – Learn how to use the Scoring Wizard to complete the self-scoring process.
Questions?
For system questions, contact mhfa.app@state.mn.us.
HUD Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program Pre-Applications are Due April 27, 2023
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program (PRA) is a program to expand the supply of supportive housing that promotes and facilitates community integration for people with significant and long-term disabilities. In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Minnesota Housing was recently awarded funding for approximately 160 new units of HUD Section 811 PRA.
It is anticipated that HUD Section 811 PRA Program funds will be available for units for people with disabilities through the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 funding round. Awards are contingent on funding availability.
Pre-Application Information, Deadline and Materials
Applicants must submit the HUD Section 811 PRA Pre-Application to determine eligibility for the program prior to submitting a full 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 application. Applicants will be notified about eligibility for the program prior to the application due date.
Applicants need to apply and be selected for capital funding through the Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC Round 1 funding round to be eligible for HUD Section 811 PRA. Applicants cannot apply for only HUD Section 811 PRA funding in the Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC Round 1 or HTC Round 2.
HUD Section 811 PRA pre-applications are due in the Multifamily Customer Portal by noon Central Time on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Minnesota Housing will review pre-applications, and applicants will be informed whether their project may be awarded HUD Section 811 PRA units on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Questions?
Visit Minnesota Housing’s HUD Section 811 PRA webpage or contact Ellie Miller at ellie.miller@state.mn.us or 651.215.6236.
Preference for Innovative Construction Techniques Pre-Applications are Due April 27, 2023
Pre-Application Information, Deadline and Materials
Minnesota Housing is offering a selection preference for projects that will use Innovative Construction Techniques (ICT). To be eligible for this selection preference, applicants must submit the Innovation Construction Techniques Pre-Application, and the proposed projects must achieve or pilot a technique to achieve one or both of the following goals:
- Reduce total construction cost by at least 10%, and/or
- Reduce the time a project is under construction by at least 20%
Additional eligibility conditions are included in the Innovation Construction Techniques Pre-Application Requirements. Refer to the 2024-2025 Self-Scoring Worksheet for additional details on how the preference will be used to evaluate different project proposal types that are submitted in the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 funding round, in accordance with the 2024-2025 Qualified Allocation Plan and the Multifamily Request for Proposals Standards.
ICT pre-applications are due in the Multifamily Customer Portal by noon Central time on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Minnesota Housing will review pre-applications, and applicants will be informed whether their proposed ICT was approved for the ICT preference on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Questions?
Contact Mike Thomas at mike.thomas@state.mn.us or 651.276.1170.
Reminder: Register to Attend the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 Self-Scoring Worksheet Training
You are invited to attend a training session on the Self-Scoring Worksheet on Tuesday, May 2. The Self-Scoring Worksheet contains the selection criteria that applicants use to score their application in the Scoring Wizard found in the Multifamily Customer Portal.
Tuesday, May 2
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Central Time
This training will provide applicants with a walk-through of the 2024-2025 Self-Scoring Worksheet, an overview of each selection criteria, and changes since the last Multifamily Consolidated RFP/HTC funding round.
The training will be recorded and posted on our website for later reference. Recorded trainings on how to use the Scoring Wizard will be provided in a future eNews.
Reminder: Register for the Supportive Housing Technical Assistance Session to Learn More About the 2023 Supportive Housing Updates
You are invited to attend a technical assistance session on Wednesday, May 3, where attendees will learn more about the 2023 changes for applications that include supportive housing units.
Wednesday, May 3
11:00 a.m. – noon Central Time
This technical assistance session will give 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 applicants the opportunity to learn more about the process updates for applications with supportive housing units and provide time for applicant questions. The training will be recorded and posted on our website for later reference.
Questions?
For questions, contact mhfa.consolidated.rfp@state.mn.us.
Reminder: Intent to Apply Deadline for the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 is May 11!
The Intent to Apply (ITA) deadline for the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2023 HTC Round 1 is this Thursday, May 11, 2023, by noon Central Time. The ITA is required for all 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 applications. Applicants that do not complete the ITA or meet this deadline will not be able to submit a full application and will not be considered for funding.
To meet the ITA deadline by noon Central Time on this Thursday, May 11, you need to create a project and set up your project’s characteristics in the Multifamily Customer Portal. This document shows how to set up and change your project characteristics. There are no checklist items or cost associated with the ITA.
Note: Applicants can change their project’s characteristics up until noon Central Time on Thursday, July 13, 2023, the full application deadline.
Saint Paul Public Housing Agency Project-Based Vouchers Available!
The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency will be offering 125 Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), plus an additional 25 HUD Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Project-Based Vouchers. The available 125 PBV may be used for the Family Unification Program (FUP), mixed-income, senior, and/or supportive housing projects. HUD-VASH vouchers will be available for veteran housing. Applications will be accepted only through the 2023 St. Paul PHA Voucher Application funding round.
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
Applicants may mix-match vouchers for each project submitted; however, a minimum of 10 vouchers per project must be requested. There may be a limit to the number of vouchers requested per project. Refer to the PBV Program Guide available on the Saint Paul PHA website.
PBV Only Requests:
Applicants do not need to apply for capital funding through the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 funding round to be eligible for PBVs. Apply for PBVs in the “2023 St. Paul PHA Voucher Application” funding round in the Multifamily Customer Portal.
PBV Requests with Minnesota Housing Multifamily Capital Funding:
Applicants who are applying for capital funding in conjunction with a PBV request must apply separately for PBVs in the ”2023 Saint Paul PHA Voucher Application” funding round in the Multifamily Customer Portal. PBV awards are contingent on Minnesota Housing funding.
Questions?
For information on PBVs, visit the Saint Paul PHA website or contact Corina Serrano at corina.serrano@stpha.org.
For information or technical assistance from Minnesota Housing, email mhfa.app@state.mn.us.
Reminder: Projects with Existing Minnesota Housing Debt
If a preservation project has existing Minnesota Housing debt that you want counted under Financial Readiness to Proceed/Leveraged Funds in the Self-Scoring Worksheet, contact the Request for Action (RFA) team no later than Wednesday, May 10, 2023. If you do not contact the RFA team by this date, there will not be sufficient time to process a request for an applicant to submit an application by the Consolidated RFP application due date.
Metropolitan Council Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) Funding Available through the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP
The Metropolitan Council announced on March 4, 2023, that a total of $2.5 million was approved for the Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA). These dollars will be available in the multifamily deferred pool of financing in the 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1. Only projects located in participating cities that have enrolled in the Metropolitan Council’s LHIA program are eligible for these funds. Visit Metropolitan Council's Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) webpage for more information about the program, including matching requirements, eligible uses and more.
How to be Considered for LHIA
- Log into the Multifamily Customer Portal and create a project within the 2023 Consolidated RFP/ 2024 HTC Round 1 funding round.
- Go to the Characteristics tab and select the “Met Council’s LHIA Funds” characteristic. This will add the “General: Met Council LHIA Receptivity Form” to your application checklist.
- Reach out to your local government entity (city or county) in which the project is located, request them to serve as the applicant, and for them to complete the “Met Council LHIA Receptivity Form” for the LHIA portion of the funding.
- Upload the completed “Met Council LHIA Receptivity Form” to your application checklist prior to submission. The “General: Met Council LHIA Receptivity Form” is required to be considered.
- The checklist item must be submitted with your 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 application. If the checklist item is not submitted, applicants will not be considered for Met Council’s LHIA deferred funding. Applications are due by noon Central Time on Thursday, July 13.
New to the Multifamily Customer Portal or need a refresher? Please review the Multifamily Customer Portal Resources webpage.
What You Need to Know
- LHIA grants may be awarded without Minnesota Housing funding; however, a complete 2023 Multifamily Consolidated RFP/2024 HTC Round 1 application must be submitted to be considered.
- LHIA funds require that the local government entity (city or county) in which the project is located serve as the applicant for the LHIA portion of the funding. This is achieved by the local government completing a Met Council LIHA Receptivity Form on behalf of the developer/sponsor. The local government entity will serve as the grant recipient (grantee) for the LHIA Funds.
- Grantees (local government entity) must match LHIA awards on a dollar-for-dollar basis with a source of funding that is either directly from, or is designated by, the participating city or development authority; sources include CDBG, HOME, TIF, Housing Trust Fund dollars, tax abatements, local housing revenue bonds, and the appraised value of donated land.
- Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) grants primarily support hard costs related to the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. Land acquisition costs may be an eligible use of grant funds. LHIA grants do not pay for work done before the grant is awarded. An exception would be reimbursement of qualifying land acquisition costs incurred no more than 12 months prior to the date of award.
Eligible Uses for LHIA Grants:
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Ineligible Uses for LHIA Grants:
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Gap financing costs including land acquisition
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Soft costs, or administrative overhead
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Property (structure) acquisition
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Bonds and insurance
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Demolition
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Legal fees
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Site preparation (e.g., water, sewer, roads)
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Permits
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General construction/structural additions
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Travel
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Alterations and rehabilitation
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Grant/bid preparation costs
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Interior and exterior finishing
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Cleanup/abatement costs
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Roofing
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Resident services and/or operations
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Electrical, plumbing, and/or heating and ventilation
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Questions?
For LHIA information, visit Metropolitan Council's Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) webpage or contact Ashleigh Johnson, Senior Planner at ashleigh.johnson@metc.state.mn.us.
For technical assistance from Minnesota Housing, email mhfa.app@state.mn.us or complete the Technical Assistance Request Form.
Shopping for a First Mortgage or Thinking about Refinancing?
Minnesota Housing wants to work with you for all your multifamily first mortgage needs! Our Low and Moderate Income Rental (LMIR) first mortgages have terms up to 40 years for new construction or 35 years for rehabilitation or refinance. Our first mortgages are available year-round.
View our current interest rates and terms to learn more about what we offer.
Contact Mike Tobias, First Mortgage Program Manager, at michael.tobias@state.mn.us to get started.
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