Strengthening Rural Communities

Strengthening Rural Communities Program

Details

Rooted in Minnesota but recognized as a leader nationwide, Minnesota Housing Partnership specializes in working with rural communities and tribal entities to strengthen their communities.

Through a competitive application process, the Strengthening Rural Communities Program provides technical assistance to rural communities to overcome impediments to successful planning and implementation of affordable housing and community development projects. From innovative planning practices to knowledge of complex federal housing programs, our proven track record of financial and technical expertise gives organizations the ability to build and preserve housing and community assets.

Applications for Technical Assistance are due April 15, 2020. Applicants will be contacted within 45 days after the application deadline regarding funding decisions. MHP’s ability to accept new Technical Assistance applications in the future are dependent upon funding and capacity.

MHP was recently awarded a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program. MHP uses HUD RCB funds to implement the Strengthening Rural Communities Program nationwide.

Program Details and Application

Eligible Projects & Activities

The Strengthening Rural Communities Program provides assistance for rural communities in:

Increasing affordable housing development and rehab capacity, particularly multi-family housing development capacity to address housing needs of the lowest-income residents
Increasing capacity to access program funding (particularly HUD programs) and layer subsidies, and related need for early-stage project financial assistance
Increasing project and program capacity to deliver supportive services and develop supportive housing, particularly for growing senior populations in rural areas
Increasing capacity in comprehensive sustainable community and economic development

MHP encourages a regional approach to housing and community development. This can include the awarded beneficiary serving multiple entities by collaborating on a shared need. Successful applications must demonstrate a commitment by local community stakeholders to project or program implementation.

The following are NOT eligible for assistance:

General operating support
Direct housing services including affordable gap assistance
Direct housing development costs
Organizations with missions that fall outside the housing and community development arena
Lobbying or other direct political activities
Activities for which the applicant already receives technical assistance or operating support funding from MHP

Assistance Available

MHP provides technical assistance for projects that address housing needs, build capacity to access funding, align affordable housing with economic development and sustainable development, or require broader HUD program capacity to successfully implement new financing models for supportive/senior housing. Financial assistance may be available, as a grant or loan or combination of the two, in conjunction with an approved award.

Some examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to:

Staff development
Consulting
Obtaining CHDO designation
Securing project funding
Partnership development
Development of projects

Who Can Apply

Evaluation Criteria

Proposed project:

Articulates a compelling need for technical assistance in an underserved community; which may include low-income communities; Native communities; low-income seniors; households experiencing homelessness; racial/ethnic minority and/or immigrant populations; or other high risk populations
Includes credible plan to address a compelling need
Has staff and organizational leadership to undertake the proposed work
Aligns with other organizational work and community efforts
Exhibits sound financial capacity
Demonstrates clear and measurable outcomes

Application

Questions? Contact Harlan Buckalew, Community Development Officer.

Serving Communities Nationwide

Our Work in Action

New Indian Bowl to share and sustain Ojibwe artistry and culture

MHP is working with stakeholders in Wisconsin on the vision and implementation of a new Indian Bowl that will include classrooms, exhibit space, a new performance arena and more. "The Indian Bowl has been the highlight of Lac du Flambeau for decades," Georgine Brown, President of the Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl, explains. "Throughout the years, many families here have been a part of the Indian Bowl shows, making it a renown tourist attraction in the northwoods of Wisconsin. We shared our culture and heritage for all to learn what we as Anishinaabeg were all about. Today, many of these families still enjoy performing the storytelling dances taught to us by our grandfathers and grandmothers. The rebuilding of the Indian Bowl will once again revitalize the community economically as tourist and visitors come to learn and share all our cultural differences." Read the full story.