Work has started on 2 vacant lots. The Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Outlaw Development held a groundbreaking for single-family homes at 1210 West 82nd Street and 8313 Blaisdell Avenue.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNShovels go into the ground at the 2 sites, and the developer explains how long the project has been underway.10/28
Speakers at the groundbreaking said the 2 houses belong to the city's affordable homeownership program, which aims to build 27 owner-occupied homes over the next few years. They pointed to housing costs that keep climbing and have put buying a home out of reach for many families here.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNSpeakers place the 2 homes inside the city's larger plan for 27 homes and explain why it exists.10/28
The city says the program runs on a $3,199,500 state grant from Minnesota Housing. It is for households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Each home gets a $118,500 subsidy to cover the gap between what it costs to build and what a qualifying buyer can pay. Deed restrictions require the owners to live in the homes and limit resale prices for at least 15 years, so the houses stay affordable after the first sale.
The project started with the land. In July 2023, HRA staff told commissioners that 8313 Blaisdell Avenue South was vacant and that its owner had offered to sell it to the HRA voluntarily.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff present the HRA's purchase of the vacant Blaisdell lot, the first step toward one of these homes.07/25
In November 2025, staff recommended Outlaw Development for the 2 smaller lots, each big enough for one single-family home.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff name Outlaw Development as their pick for both lots and lay out the next steps.11/25
In February 2026, the HRA held a public hearing on selling both lots to Outlaw Development. In June, the board took up a resolution approving gap assistance and a contract for private development with the company.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe board takes up the subsidy and development contract that made construction possible.06/09
For the builder, the project is personal. A representative of Outlaw Development said they had experienced homelessness and lived in social housing, which is why building homes for low-income residents matters to them.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe developer explains why affordable homes matter to them personally.10/28
Next, construction continues, and then the homes go to buyers who meet the income limits. The city's program page doesn't yet say how buyers apply, so anyone hoping to buy one of the 27 homes should keep an eye on it and on future HRA agendas. HRA meetings are open to the public.
