Ramsey County approves $14.4 million for affordable housing infrastructure, fulfills joint funding commitment with Saint Paul

Saint Paul, MN – Today, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved $14.4 million in funding for eight affordable housing development projects through the 2023 Housing Development Solicitation. The funds distributed will be American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, which satisfies the county’s commitment to obligate the full amount of its dedicated ARPA funds, $37 million, into deeply affordable housing infrastructure.

Through previous board actions, the county invested more than $20 million into specific housing development projects using designated ARPA funding. The newly awarded ARPA projects bring the total amount of approved funding to $37 million. This matches the historic 2021 action by the county board to strategically invest into deeply affordable housing for individuals and families with household incomes less than 30% Area Median Income (AMI).

“This is a major step forward in our years long work to expand affordable housing,” said Ramsey County Board Chair Trista MatasCastillo. “There is an urgent and evident need for affordable housing in Ramsey County and we are proud to have accomplished this goal in the face of a housing crisis.”

The city of Saint Paul partnered on this effort –fully obligating an equal $37 million into deeply affordable housing infrastructure. This will ultimately infuse more than $74 million of federal funding for housing into local communities.

“Access to safe, affordable housing a basic human right,” said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “These projects invest directly in the well-being of our community and will provide many of our most vulnerable residents the opportunity to build a foundation.”

Projects awarded ARPA funding by Ramsey County in the last two years are expected to add 406 new deeply affordable rental units to the current housing supply, helping bridge the gap to affordable housing for residents who earn at or below 30% AMI. ARPA investments will have contributed to more than 956 new or preserved affordable housing units for low-to-moderate income renters.

Today, the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority also approved levy funding for 11 affordable housing development projects, totaling $4 million. These funds were strategically leveraged with ARPA dollars, in alignment with Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan, to increase the supply of deeply affordable rental units and further reduce racial disparities in housing.

“Our commitment to investing into affordable housing infrastructure is intentional and important,” said Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Board Chair Mai Chong Xiong. “Creating and building a prosperous economy that is inclusive, where we all can feel valued and thrive, begins with a place to call home for residents.”

To learn more about Ramsey County’s affordable housing investments visit: ramseycounty.us/AffordableHousing.

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Media contact: Kristi Saksvig, Communications Manager, 651-353-2004