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News for rental housing owners & managers ~ January 2022 |
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The Richfield Apartment Manager’s Association (RAMA) is a collaborative effort between the City of Richfield and rental housing management and owners to create and maintain quality rental communities. The RAMA Reporter is published quarterly to provide information and resources for furthering this mission. |
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Rental Rehab Loans for Single-family and Duplex Rentals
The City is considering a pilot program that would make rehab loans available to single-family and duplex rental properties for maintenance, energy efficiency, accessibility, and life/safety improvements. Interested in reviewing and providing feedback on the proposed guidelines? Contact Julie Urban at jurban@richfieldmn.gov or call 612.861.9777.
Rehab Loans and Grants are also available for apartments.
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Section 8 Waiting List Open Now
Richfield's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) will open its waiting list from January 18 at 10 am - January 28 at 4 pm. The application is online this year and can be accessed here.
The City last opened its waiting list in 2015, so this is a rare opportunity for renters to get a chance at a housing voucher to help them maintain stable housing. Richfield renters receive priority for a spot on the waiting list. Please spread the word to tenants you know who may be interested and in need.
Richfield is a local administrator of the Program, which means clients and landlords get personal attention from our dedicated staff. Interested in learning more about becoming a landlord in the Section 8 Program? Contact Lynnette Chambers at 612-861-9773.
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 Accessibility
Is it time to replace the flooring in your units? Are you planning to buy new washers and dryers? Consider making a choice that will improve the lives of people who have physical challenges. Learn some simple ways to make a rental unit more accessible: Simple Ways to Make Rental Units More Accessible.
Interested in exploring more significant changes to make your building accessible? Contact Julie Urban, Housing Manager, at 612.861.9777 or jurban@richfieldmn.gov to discuss.
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 Kids@Home Program
Richfield’s local rent assistance program will have openings in February. This program is a great opportunity for families with kids attending a Richfield school to get help with rent and become part of a supportive community of parents. E-mail Lynnette Chambers lchambers@richfieldmn.gov if you’re interested in learning more about this award-winning program and/or if you know a family who might be interested.
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Up to $5 million available for Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing preservation assistance
Hennepin County is seeking proposals to address rehab and maintenance needs of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) properties that may have been postponed during the pandemic. Proposals will also be accepted for additional non-profit acquisition and preservation of at-risk NOAH properties.
Access the RFP and apply through the Hennepin County Supplier Portal.
- Proposals due: January 24, 2022 at 2pm CST
Up to $5 million is available for this initial round. Additional funding up to $3.65 million will be available in a second round later this spring.
Contact
Julia Welle Ayres
Director of Housing Development & Finance
Julia.WelleAyres@hennepin.us
612-543-4342
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Energy Efficiency
Energy savings tailored to Multi-Family Buildings could reduce your energy costs, upgrade your building, and reveal your eligibility for major equipment rebates. A free assessment offered by CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy helps you to understand your building’s specific energy needs.
Getting Started is easy! Call 855-545-7455 or visit multifamilyenergysolutions.com
- Free, whole building energy analysis.
- Top to bottom, the building’s mechanical systems, equipment, and insulation are inspected for opportunities to save energy — and money.
- Free on-the-spot energy-saving installations. Receive new screw-in LED lights in common areas and resident units, water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators, and more.
- Energy analysis report. After the energy analysis, you’ll receive a detailed report of your building’s current energy use to help understand the energy savings potential.
- Support along the way. You’ll have a single-point-of-contact who will help you create a streamlined path to energy efficiency.
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Winter/Spring Recreation Programs
The Winter/Spring Recreation Program Guide is available online (www.richfieldmn.gov/recbrochure) and registration is open for activities and events! Check out the fun stuff Richfield Recreation has lined up, for all ages and interests, through May. Register for programs at www.richfieldmn.gov/onlineregistration. Richfield Recreation offers different options for helping to alleviate the cost of the programs and services, including the Recreation Passport Program, Richfield READY, and the Emily Day Scholarship at Wood Lake Nature Center. Visit www.richfieldmn.gov/recreation for more information or call Richfield Recreation at 612-861-9395.
Join us for the 2022 Richfield Citizen Police Academy
The 28th annual Citizen Police Academy starts Thursday, February 10, 2022, and continues every Thursday through March 17, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. This is a free, 18-hour, 6-week course effective in enhancing communication between officers and citizens through the sharing of knowledge and information of police practices. Register at www.RichfieldMN.gov/cpa by Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.
Any person who is at least 18 years old and lives or owns a business (or manages an apartment building) in Richfield may attend the academy. There are no physical qualifications necessary and there is no cost to attend, but we do ask that participants commit to all 6 weeks. Class size is limited to 30 students. A criminal history check will be conducted on all applicants.
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Rental license payments were due by 12/31/2021 – have you paid for your 2022 license?
We are working on catching up on the bi-yearly rental inspections. Please watch for the letter identifying your inspection date and time, and please call to confirm or change the dates noted. Call Natalie at 612.861.9882 if you wish to proactively set up an inspection.
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