Sustainable Community Engagement Fund
The Minnesota Housing Partnership's Sustainable Community Engagement Fund (SCEF) helps communities develop sustainably by linking affordable housing to transportation, jobs, and services. SCEF encourages collaboration and a comprehensive planning approach to address local affordable housing needs.
SCEF awardees have access to direct technical assistance, thereby helping them to become strong, successful affordable housing providers. MHP's expert staff can help you collaborate with local partners, plan for regional growth, engage communities in housing solutions, and navigate federal regulations and housing programs.
Eligibility & Funding Criteria:
- Must be located outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro area and Duluth.
- The maximum grant amount is $10,000 and requires, at minimum, a 1:1 match.
See the program guidelines for more information on eligibility and funding criteria.
Interested in Applying?
Complete and submit an inquiry form. Inquiry forms are accepted on a rolling basis.
Downloadable Program Guidelines & Inquiry Forms:
- Sustainable Community Engagement Fund Guidelines
- Sustainable Community Engagement Fund Inquiry Form (PDF)
- Sustainable Community Engagement Fund Inquiry Form (Word Doc)
For more information, contact:
Bill Vanderwall, Capacity Building Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 651.925.5541
Generous support from The McKnight Foundation and Minnesota Housing makes this program possible.
2013 Loan & Grant Calendar*
| Application Due Dates | Loan and Grant Committee Meetings |
| August 27, 2012 | September 17, 2012 |
| October 29, 2012 | November 19, 2012 |
| January 7, 2013 | January 28, 2013 |
| February 25, 2013 | March 18, 2013 |
| April 29, 2013 | May 20, 2013 |
| June 24, 2013 | July 15, 2013 |
| August 26, 2013 | September 16, 2013 |
The MHP Loan and Grant Committee meets the third Monday of every other month to review applications. Applications must be received a minimum of three weeks prior to a meeting in order to be considered for funding.
*These dates are tentative and may change without notice.
Rooted in Minnesota, Working Nationally
Planning for Economic Growth:
SCEF funds allowed Roseau County to undertake a city-wide Housing Study. The two major employers in Roseau County, Polaris and Marvin Windows and Doors, are impacted by insufficient affordable housing stock. Those moving to the region for jobs often must leave their families and live in motels for months before they can find housing. The completion of a housing market study was the first step in a broader planning process intended to make sure that housing is affordable and well-located near jobs.
In February 2013, Governor Dayton and Commissioners attended a housing roundtable in Roseau to discuss the housing shortage and its impact on economic growth.
Collaborating for Successful Development
In Grand Marais, housing leaders struggled to develop affordable housing due to high property costs. The SCEF award allowed Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency to address affordable housing needs in the area through community engagement. By working with city & county staff, elected officials, potential funders, and services providers, AEOA is now exploring sites to develop a 20 unit affordable housing rental complex serving low/moderate individuals and families.
Connecting Residents to Housing Resources
In rural Southwest Minnesota it was difficult to connect residents to housing resources. Participating in MHP's Housing Institute, the Lincoln County team created a comprehensive website: a one-stop shop for county-wide housing information. The team was awarded a SCEF grant to help cover the cost of a graphic designer, transforming their housing knowledge into a user-friendly website.
Now individuals seeking rental housing, selling a home, or trying to locate housing repair and assistance programs can easily obtain the resources they need. The websited ecreased staff time spent redirecting residents to services, freeing up time to focus on other collaborative projects.
