Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
The HRA helps provide affordable housing opportunities for those who are not adequately served by the marketplace, coordinates the City's efforts to preserve existing neighborhoods and promotes development and redevelopment that enhances Bloomington.
The HRA accomplishes its mission through various programs: rental assistance, housing rehabilitation loans, first-time home buyer assistance and other development and redevelopment programs. Funding comes from federal, state, regional and local sources. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is governed by a five-member commission appointed by the City Council.
Affordable Housing
Section 8
The Bloomington HRA manages the Section 8 program for the City, which is CLOSED at this time. The waitlist will not open for a few years, and will be advertised on housinglink.org and the Sun Current local paper when applications are being accepted.
Rental Homes for Future Homebuyers
The waiting list for the Rental Homes for Future Homebuyers Program is now OPEN for applications. This program helps families of 3-6 people save money to buy a home, while renting one of 21 single-family homes in Bloomington.
When accepted to the program, the HRA will save a portion of the family's rent each month to use as a down payment when they buy a home. Participants must be willing to enter into a five-year contract to identify the goals they need to complete to become a homeowner. Visit the program Rental Homes for Future Homebuyers web page to download an application.
Home Improvement Loans
Loans of up to $35,000 are available to Bloomington homeowners. There are no monthly payments. The loan will accrue interest at an annual rate of 2 percent for a period of 10 years and will not have to be repaid until the owner sells, transfers title or the property is no longer the borrower's principle place of residence. To apply, visit the program webpage.
Home Improvement Fair
The City of Bloomington proudly sponsors the Bloomington Home Improvement Fair for city residents every other year. This free event will be held Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Bloomington Civic Plaza. Get information on remodeling, landscaping and other ways to improve your home. Learn how to do it yourself or work with a professional.
Seminars and Community Education
Free Home Improvement Seminars
Each summer the Housing and Redevelopment Authority hosts a variety of Home Improvement Seminars in Civic Plaza Rehearsal Hall, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road. All seminars are free and open to the public. To view the class topics and dates, visit the seminar web page.
Rental Housing Collaborative
The Rental Housing Collaborative seeks to educate rental property owners and managers on laws and ordinances effecting their property and management practices. Meetings are held quarterly.
Home Stretch Home Buyer Workshops: For more information, visit Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County.
The HRA provides speakers to any group interested in learning more about the HRA, redevelopment and affordable housing issues.
Redevelopment
One of the roles of the HRA is to provide land for the private development of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. The HRA has done this for both renters and homeowners.
Among some of the HRA's residential projects are Gideon Pond, Knox Landing, Ridgeview Terrace and Bloomington Family Townhomes.
The HRA also purchases substandard residential properties, demolishes them and resells the lots to builders for the construction of new homes. The goal of the program is to improve neighborhoods by eliminating structures that negatively impact surrounding homes. Learn more about HRA redevelopment projects in Bloomington.
Lots for Sale
To help stabilize neighborhoods and help keep property values up, the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) purchases blighted and substandard houses from willing sellers. Once the house is removed, the vacant land is placed in the Bloomington Single Family Program for sale.
Agency Plan & Policies
The Bloomington HRA is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to file a 5-Year Agency Plan and annual updates to that plan. Find the Agency plan and policies here.
Additional Resources
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Bloomington (HRA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all HRA services, programs and activities.