Ramsey County HRA Approves Housing Funds, Environmental Grants, and Levy Allocation on January 13, 2026

The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) met on January 13, 2026, in Council Chambers at the Courthouse Room 300. Although the agenda listed a 10 a.m. start, the meeting was called to order at 11:18 a.m. according to the minutes. All seven members (Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Chair Xiong) were present, along with County Manager Ling Becker and Assistant County Attorney Scott Schwahn. The board unanimously approved the agenda, the prior meeting’s minutes, and three administrative items related to housing funding, environmental cleanup, and wealth generation.

Consent Calendar

• Motion by Miller, seconded by Ortega, to approve the January 13, 2026 agenda. Passed unanimously.
• Motion by Ortega, seconded by McGuire, to approve the January 6, 2026 minutes. Passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Funding (Item 3): The board accepted $1,300,000 from the Metropolitan Council for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program. The resolution (H2026-004) authorized the County Manager to establish a project within Community & Economic Development and to enter into necessary grant agreements. No discussion was held; the motion by Ortega, seconded by Miller, passed unanimously.

• Environmental Response Fund Grant Awards (Item 4): Ella Mitchell, Redevelopment Program Manager, presented the awards. The fund, administered for over 20 years, supports cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater, as well as lead/asbestos abatement, to prepare sites for redevelopment. Solicitations occur twice yearly with application deadlines of May 1 and November 1. This round received four applications; three were recommended because the fourth obtained full funding from another source. Awards were:

  • Roseville Economic Development Authority, Twin Lakes Technology Center: $500,000
  • GloryVille LLC, GloryVille: $200,000
  • JB Vang, Hamm’s West End Development: $200,000 During discussion, Commissioner Miller asked about award frequency, and Commissioner McGuire asked about award limits. Mitchell explained that eligible amounts are tied to cleanup costs and noted the program is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2028; Ramsey and Hennepin counties are coordinating advocacy to extend it. Commissioner Moran asked about applicant volume and learned all four projects received at least some funding. Commissioner Ortega requested a one-on-one briefing. The motion by Miller, seconded by Jebens-Singh, passed unanimously as Resolution H2026-005.

• Allocation of 2026 HRA Levy for Wealth Generation Programs (Item 5): Max Holdhusen, Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development, presented the request, standing in for Tanisha Trice-Johnson. The board approved allocating $2,350,000 of the 2026 HRA levy to wealth creation initiatives, primarily the First Home program. In 2025, the program closed 38 loans, 84% of which were to first-generation buyers, and 15 loans were for manufactured homes. Applications for the First Home program are rolling and in high demand; funds were largely exhausted by August 2025, reopened with a smaller amount in the fall, and approximately $200,000 will roll over into 2026. Commissioner Miller asked about the application process, and Commissioner Moran asked about loans versus grants. Holdhusen clarified: first-generation buyers receive a zero-percent forgivable loan forgiven after 20 years; first-time buyers receive a zero-percent deferred loan; rehab loans are forgiven after 10 years; and critical repair is a small grant for immediate fixes. Commissioner Ortega requested that the information be sent to the entire board. The motion by Ortega, seconded by Jebens-Singh, passed unanimously as Resolution H2026-006.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (7-0).
• Approved the agenda and minutes.
• Accepted $1,300,000 in Pathways funding and authorized related agreements.
• Approved Environmental Response Fund grants totaling $900,000.
• Approved $2,350,000 for wealth generation programs.
• The County Manager is authorized to execute grant, loan, and other agreements as described.
• Staff will provide program information to the full board and arrange a one-on-one briefing on environmental response funds.
• Ramsey County will join Hennepin County in advocating to extend the Environmental Response Fund program beyond its January 1, 2028 sunset.