Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (MORA) requested $85,240 in Local Affordable Housing Assistance (LAHA) funds to fully cover capital projects — kitchen and bathroom remodels, flooring, a water heater and landscaping — at its two Bloomington group homes for residents with disabilities. Commissioners raised concerns about setting a precedent without a formal application process or funding cap for group-home requests, and did not vote; staff will bring a formal LAHA request process and this topic back for discussion, possibly at the August 19 board retreat or a future work session.
Staff reported on 2025-26 American Rescue Plan-funded grants to Homeline ($45,990.90), Touchstone Mental Health ($65,826) and Oasis for Youth ($63,250) for eviction prevention, rental assistance and tenant legal services; all funds were fully spent by June 30. Homeline served 712 Bloomington households, Touchstone served 15 households (mostly in Blooming Meadows) with average assistance around three months' rent, and Oasis for Youth served 24 youth households plus over 370 youth through drop-in programs. Commissioners thanked the partner organizations; no further action was taken since contracts have concluded.
Commissioner Wooten (Moot/Wooten, name garbled) made a required public declaration under Minnesota Statutes 471.87 and 471.88 disclosing that they have applied for a city rehabilitation loan program, noting they have reapplied three times over three years and received no special treatment. Legal counsel Sioban Toller of Kennedy & Graven confirmed the statutory citations for the record; no HRA action was needed beyond the disclosure.
Commissioner Hooim raised concerns after finding that homes in a city-supported affordable homeownership development have unfinished basements and asked whether property taxes differ from other Bloomington properties; staff confirmed unfinished basements were intentional to keep costs down and said they would verify how property taxes and a roughly $60,000 down payment with $1,300 monthly payments are factored into affordability. Staff noted down-payment assistance partners (e.g., Habitat, Homes Within Reach) typically help buyers meet affordability thresholds; staff will follow up with more detailed information.
