Affordable Duluth housing projects currently in the works for 2023

Housing is a significant issue, but recently the Housing and Redevelopment Authority are working on affordable Duluth housing projects. Currently 100 new housing units are coming to Duluth for low income families, those experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities. Jill Keppers the Executive Director of the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority further explained the upcoming affordable Duluth housing.

“You know, we have such a need in our area. We see our homeless numbers continue to rise. So these supportive housing units will be great to help get people off the street and into stable housing.” Keppers said. “100 units that are funded are all affordable housing units. So all of the units, people pay 30% of their income toward rent. So anytime we receive funding of this nature, it is a great benefit to our community. It’s a very competitive process. We were the only two projects that got funded in northeast Minnesota this year.”

One of the projects is happening in Wadena West by the center city housing, about 60 units of affordable Duluth housing for people experiencing homelessness. The other one is, the housing and redevelopment of 34 units of townhomes up at harbor highlands for families. There will be affordable Duluth housing for persons with disabilities, supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and low income families.

“I mean, we see our rents here in Duluth, rival rents in the twin cities, and we know our building costs are the same of those in the twin cities, but our incomes just don’t keep up.” Keppers said regarding the lack of affordable Duluth housing. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority is also working towards the upkeep and maintenance of the affordable Duluth housing units.

“So the Housing and Redevelopment Authority was able to get $150,000 to help low and moderate income homeowners, either convert from fuel oil to natural gas this next year or to help with their led service line replacements.” Keppers said. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority are hoping to begin their 70 unit affordable Duluth housing project funded from last year for this spring. They plan to begin this current project a year from now.

For more information on the affordable housing you can look here https://www.duluthhousing.com/programs/.

For another story regarding housing in Duluth you can read more here https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/duluth-tiny-home-concerns/.