The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) met in regular session on July 7, 2026, at 10:35 a.m. in Council Chambers (Courthouse Room 300). All seven members present (Jebens-Singh, McGuire, McMurtrey, Miller, Moran, Ortega, and Chair Xiong) along with County Manager Ling Becker and Assistant County Attorney Scott Schwahn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m. The primary action was the approval of $1,300,000 in Pathways to Reducing Obstacles to Housing (PRO) funding for a 24-unit supportive housing project for youth experiencing homelessness.
Item 3: Obligation of Pathways to Reducing Obstacles to Housing (PRO) Funding for Housing Development Projects
Max Holdhusen, Deputy Director of Community & Economic Development, presented the second of five board actions from the 2026 housing development solicitation. The recommended project is face-to-face at arcade – a city of Saint Paul HRA-owned lot on Arcade Street to be transformed into a 24-unit supportive housing building for youth (ages 16–24) transitioning out of homelessness. All units will be housing support units, developed in partnership with the Housing Stability Department. The project also received an award from the 2024 Emerging Diverse Developers solicitation. The PRO funds ($1.3 million) represent about 13% of construction costs.
Commissioner McMurtrey asked about the selection process and whether this was the only applicant meeting criteria. Holdhusen explained that the PRO funds are a new federal grant source (jointly applied with the Metropolitan Council in 2024) and that the project was selected because it scored highly and could stack other federal funds efficiently.
Commissioner Moran asked for clarification on the meaning of "Pathways to Reducing Obstacles to Housing" – noting the name sounds like a code to be removed. Holdhusen clarified that it is the name of the federal grant (PRO) and cannot be changed.
Commissioner Miller asked about the grant’s continuation and the role of Hennepin County. Holdhusen stated that this is likely a one-time grant for Ramsey County; Hennepin County opted out and their portion will be used for planning and policy in local cities. Miller also noted appreciation for the 30-year affordability covenant recorded against the property title and the county’s ongoing monitoring.
Commissioner Jebens-Singh expressed support for the project, emphasizing the importance of investing in supportive housing for an underserved population of young people experiencing housing instability.
Chair Xiong provided an update on federal housing legislation: a major housing bill (the largest overhaul in decades) has passed Congress and sits on the President’s desk. The bill includes streamlining CDBG disaster recovery funding, expanding HOME program uses, and language restricting institutional investors from purchasing more than 350 single-family homes. Chair Xiong noted the President has indicated he will not sign it unless the SAVE Act (an election bill) is also passed. Commissioner McGuire added that the SAVE Act would restrict elections and that the linkage is a “horrible way to govern.”
All right. I will call the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order. Roll call, please. Jeb and Singh? McGuire. Here. Mick Murchury. Here. Miller. Here. Moran. Ortega. Hi. And Zhang. Here. Item number one. The agenda of July 7th, 2026 is presented for approval. So move. Second. Seeing no further discussion. Roll call, please. McGuire. Hi. Mick Murtry. Miller. Hi. Moran. Ortega. Jebin Singh. And Zhang. Item number two. The minutes from June 23rd, 2026 are presented for approval. So move to second. All right. See no further discussion. Roll call, please. Meguire. Hi. Mick Murtry. Aye. Miller. Aye. Moran. Ortega. Chebin Singh? And John. Hi. Item number three. The obligation of pathways to reducing obstacles to housing funding for housing development projects. Commissioner McMurtry.