Item Description:
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Agmt PR00006720 with Affordable Housing Connections, Inc. to provide compliance monitoring services for rental housing projects funded by the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, 01/01/25-12/31/27, NTE $150,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00006720 with Affordable Housing Connections, Inc. to provide compliance monitoring services for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program for rental housing projects during the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $150,000, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Since 1992, Hennepin County and the suburban cities, as the Hennepin Housing Consortium, have been a “participating jurisdiction” for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). As the lead agency, Hennepin County distributes approximately $1.7 million in HOME funds annually to create housing opportunities through new construction, rehabilitation, acquisition of single-family homes and multifamily rental properties and tenant-based rental assistance. The HOME Regulations (24 CFR 92.504(a)) require each participating jurisdiction to monitor all HOME funded rental projects annually during the required minimum period of affordability. HOME rental projects are monitored to verify compliance with requirements related to tenant income, rent restrictions, unit mix and occupancy, lease provisions and affirmative marketing. This may include on-site file and physical inspections to ensure that established property standards continue to be met.
The county has used outside compliance monitoring since 2014 and sought proposals for continued HOME monitoring. The Request for Proposals (RFP) assessed experience of the provider, and experience with monitoring HOME and/or other HUD programs. Affordable Housing Connections, Inc. was the only responder and is being recommended due to its previous work with the county and its experience with HUD programs.
The county may use up to 10 percent of the annual HUD HOME allocation for administrative costs, including this monitoring contract.
Current Request: This request seeks approval of Agreement PR00006720 with Affordable Housing Connections, Inc. for compliance monitoring services of rental housing projects for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program during the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Impact/Outcomes: The agreement will provide continuity of the monitoring services for Hennepin County, the property owners, and residents, and lessens risk that HOME-funded rental projects are out of compliance with HUD regulations.
Housing Disparity Domain: This board action request aligns with Hennepin County disparity reduction efforts by ensuring that established property standards for HOME-funded affordable housing opportunities continue to be met.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval