Housing

I supported a $15 Million contribution to the Housing Coalition.  The Housing Coalition combines Olmsted County Board’s contribution with other contributions and grants to build, restore, and buy houses and rental units in Olmsted County.  In Coalition for Rochester Area most recent report here is how some of the money has been used.

• 77 units were created or preserved.  17 were homeownerships and 60 were rental units  created or preserved
• 0% construction loans.  This reduces the cost of building and funds are returned to the coalition so that they can be used again.
• 13 homes have been rehabilitated and turned over to the Community Land Trust so that they homes will always be for low-income families.
• High Priority Homeless.  These rental units will receive supportive services from Zumbro Valley Services.
• BIPOC Homeowner Mentorship Pilot was funded in collaboration with Three Rivers Community Action Program.  This pilot is an effort to increase the number of homes owned by the BIPOC community.  The program includes information and coaching on all aspects of getting ready to purchase a home, taking care of a home once purchased, and budgeting.

942 housing units By 2026

• Housing Coalition
  • 800 units is their goal for 2026 (204 units are in process in 2024)
• Three Rivers Community Action
  • 36 housing application plan has been submitted to Minnesota Housing
• Olmsted County
  • 60 unit high rise building was purchased
  • 10 smaller homes being built (2 to be completed in 2024 and 8 in 2025)
  • 36 The Trailside apartments, units for low-income seniors, will be completed in 2025

Building Modest (about 1100 square feet) Homes

I supported the purchase of 10 lots to build modest homes.  Two of these homes are to be finished in 2024 and the remaining 8 in early 2025.  Builders did not want to build smaller homes because they believed they would not sell.  I supported this project as a pilot to prove that people will be interested in smaller starter homes and for people who want to downsize.  Olmsted contracted with a builder for about $280,000 per home.  The plan is to work with First Homes to bring the buyer’s cost down and to keep the homes in the Land Trust and affordable into the future.

How Much Does it Cost in 2024?

• $570,000         Traffic Signal Olmsted County Housing
• $185,000          1 mile of bike trail
• $2,250,000      1 mile of 2-lane rural road construction
• $6,000,000     1 mile of 4-lane urban road construction
• $485,000         1 mile of bituminous reclamation and overlay
• $2 -$3.00         1 square foot of urban right of way acquisition
• $365,000         Tandem Axle Snow Plow Truck
• $1,107,030       Average cost of snow/ice removal per year

Serving the Veterans

I support the Veterans Office.

The Veterans Population in Olmsted County has decreased from 9,618in 2012 to 7872 in 2022.  Although there has been a decrease in Veterans, the services that are needed are still critical.

Groups of Veterans by era:

• The largest group of Veterans is from the Vietnam Era – 2,920.
• Post 9/11 – 1,316
• Gulf War 1 – 1,402
• Korean War – 589
• WW2 – a few hundred

The largest age group of Veterans is 75 and over.

The Veterans Office Department, located in the Olmsted County Public Health Building, is making it easier for Veterans to talk to a Veterans Service Officer.  The Veterans Office also coordinates free transportation to the VA medical center.  To arrange transportation, call 507.703.1139

If you know of a veteran who is in need of housing, medical care, or food, please encourage them to make an appointment with the Veterans Office so that they can understand the assistance for which they may qualify.

Olmsted County Veteran Services:

Phone:  507.328.6355

Address:  2100 Campus Drive SE, Rochester, MN  55904

180 Degrees

180 Degrees is a non-profit that works with youth with mental, physical, and chemical health issues.  They bought the former VonWald facility located in Rochester Township.  They are seeking bonding to bring the facility up to current standards.  The city of Eyota is sponsoring the bonding proposal.  I supported their request for bonding because 180 Degrees is in line with Olmsted’s need for a youth treatment facility. There is no cost to Olmsted and their programming does not involve any Olmsted staff.

Graham Park Improvement

The financial grant agreement with the State of Minnesota has been approved.  I supported the approval.

Cannabis

I supported the following County Actions:

• Restricting the use of tobacco and cannabis products and sale and display of cannabis products in Graham Park and other County parks.
• Prohibiting the use of cannabis products in public places

Bike Trail Completion

The bike trail to Chesterwoods has been completed.

Influenza Shots for School Age Children

Medical Facilities in collaboration with Olmsted Public Health and Schools will have influenza shot clinics this fall.  Registration is required.  For more information see:  https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-news-events/county-news/Counties-collaborative-school-located-immunization-program-2024?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=