The Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board met last week to review some initiatives it has been working on over the past year. The Two Harbors HRA and the Lake County HRA have been solidifying their working relationship and part of that focus has centered on the single family pilot home that is currently under construction on 4th Avenue. The Lake County HRA initiated that project last October. Discussion is underway to clarify the collaborative role each entity will play as they work together to grow affordable housing stocks in Two Harbors. With regard to the 4th Avenue project house, some of the exterior work has slowed down due to the onset of winter weather, but the plan is to have the house ready for sale and occupancy this coming Spring.
The Lake County HRA will be working with the Duluth HRA to sign folks who rent at the Lakeview Apartments up for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 vouchers). This transition for residents at Lakeview will hopefully be completed by next May.
One challenge that has beset some homeowners across Lake County, is the problem of being able to afford needed home repairs in the face of inflationary prices and limited incomes. The Lake County HRA is hoping to address this issue and is discussing a preliminary concept that would provide assistance to eligible homeowners who are seeking to fix health and safety issues at their place of residence. When this program is formalized, it will not only provide support with upkeep for current, qualified residents but will also help preserve the existing housing stock in Lake County communities as homes pass from one owner to the next. While this rehabilitation program is currently a concept plan, the hope is to be able to have it operational sometime after the first of the year.
The Lake County HRA meets monthly, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 6:00. More information on Lake County HRA initiatives is available online at lakecountyhra.org.
