Minnesota Affordable Housing News, HUD Alerts & Deals

NSPIRE Wire is independent and not affiliated with HUD.

Minneapolis Renters Press for Repairs as New Report Examines Violations and Enforcement Limits

An October 12 Hill & Lake Press report examines repair concerns and violation histories across five downtown Minneapolis rental properties. Residents describe lost heat, hot-water failures, pests and safety issues. The city says condemnation can displace everyone and must be weighed carefully. The city's current guidance sets routine inspections every eight, five or one year by tier. Its 11-item scoring description differs from the report's 15-element account. A replaced Parkway boiler and no outstanding violations are reported separately from unresolved concerns elsewhere. Owners and managers did not provide comments to the outlet. Tenant associations are pursuing follow-through, and Ward 7's council member proposes a stakeholder discussion. No new HUD rule or federal inspection score is established.

Minneapolis Opens State-Funded Bring It HOME Voucher Waitlist

MPHA opened its state-funded Bring It Home waitlist October 13. The portal listed it as open through 11:59 p.m. October 15, and the application deadline has passed. The federal Housing Choice Voucher waitlist was closed. Bring It Home has separate eligibility and Minneapolis-only use. The earlier $21 million grant supports broader rollout; about 300 to 350 new tenant-based vouchers are expected from remaining funds. MPHA anticipates up to 1,500 waitlist entries, using a lottery and priorities. Applying early does not confer an advantage. Application does not guarantee a waitlist spot or assistance. MPHA expects waitlist-status notices through RentCafe by November 1.

Minneapolis Skipped Public Housing Inspections for 30 Years

Court records show that Minneapolis went nearly 30 years without routinely inspecting public-housing units under its municipal housing code. Although MPHA and HUD conducted separate inspections, appellate decisions found that federal oversight did not eliminate the city’s local code-enforcement responsibilities.