GRAND RAPIDS, Minnesota – Itasca County HRA, in partnership with KOOTASCA Community Action and One Roof Community Housing (Duluth, MN), has been awarded funding from Minnesota Housing and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board to construct eight single-family homes on the former Forest Lake School site in the northwest part of Grand Rapids. 

Construction has begun on the homes.  The special funding used to build these houses will permit the homes to be sold to an income-eligible family at an affordable price.  A family must have income less than $89,400 in 2023 to qualify.   

The eight homes are comprised of four 2-bedroom homes and four 3-bedroom homes.   The 2-bedroom homes will be one-level, while the 3-bedroom homes will be two story. 

The homes will be marketed and listed for sale starting in late fall 2023 and income-qualified individuals or families must complete an application, complete a homebuyer education class, as well as have the ability to obtain a mortgage with an approved lender.  Projected sale prices will range from $185,000 to $200,000, with up to $30,000 in downpayment and closing cost assistance available.  Pre-construction appraisal values were $266,000 for the 2-bedroom home and $350,000 for the 3-bedroom home.

Applications are not being accepted at this time, but the public will be notified when the application period opens. 

Homebuyer Education Classes, Counseling, and Financial Assistance is available to interested buyers from KOOTASCA Community Action and information can be found at www.kootasca.org/programs/homeowners/homebuyer-education-counseling/.

For more information about what Community Land Trusts are and how they work, visit One Roof Community Housing’s website at: https://1roofhousing.org/homebuyers/community-land-trust/.

A limited update of the 2019 Housing Studies competed for the Cities of Grand Rapids and Cohasset, MN

Study Report

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health, the HRAs are adjusting their services and operations to protect staff and the individuals and families it serves from further spread of COVID-19. The HRA will continue to update its action plan.
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, effective March 19th the HRA offices are temporarily closed to all residents and visitors. All staff will be working remotely with scheduled access to the HRA offices. The HRA has suspended all internal and external meetings with very few exceptions. As much business as possible will be conducted by telephone and other electronic means. The HRA will continue to respond as needed to emergency situations.
Closing our offices does not mean the HRA is closed. We remain committed to our mission and the individuals and families we serve. All residents will be notifed by memo and the office will have signs posted with contact information so residents can easily reach staff by telephone in lieu of a walk-in meeting. Housing Choice Voucher and other rental assistance program staff will conduct as much business as possible via U.S. Mail and electronic means. HRA staff are still available to provide the emergency services and essential duties that arise in managing HRA owned properties.

Four Itasca County communities participated in a Comprehensive Housing Study performed by Community Partners Research, Inc., and the data was complied and presented in November of 2019. The links below include an Executive Summary and provide specific recommendations made by Community Partners Research, Inc., and the data is grouped as rental housing issues, home ownership housing issues, new single-family construction, and housing rehabilitation and preservation needs in the community.

Bigfork Housing Study Results

Cohasset Housing Study Results

Nashwauk Housing Study Results

Grand Rapids Housing Study Results

Grand Rapids HRA is now located at the same office space as Itasca County HRA. We are located at 102 NE 3rd Street, Suite 160 Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Office hours are Mon-Thurs 8:00am-4:30pm and Fridays 8:00am-12:00pm.