COVID-19 Guidance and Updates (for Multifamily Applications only)
Minnesota Housing recognizes that COVID-19 creates certain application challenges. In addition to the modified deadline schedule for three application pieces including the ITA deadline, the Qualification Forms and Site Control deadline, and the Application deadline, Minnesota Housing has modified requirements and offers guidance related to important application components outlined below. Please contact Katie.Moore@state.mn.us to discuss any other issues or concerns as you prepare your Consolidated RFP proposal. We appreciate your partnership and communication with us as you develop application proposals in the current environment.
Needs Assessments: Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) and critical needs Guidance
Applicants who haven’t completed the inspections required for needs assessment(s) are encouraged to find alternative ways to collect information about capital needs and deficiencies rather than mobilizing assessors to sites. This may involve looking at past maintenance records, interviewing property managers and property maintenance staff, conducting resident surveys, etc. Please indicate on the PNA/CNA/20 year capital expenditure template how information was gathered. Unverified needs assessments may require follow-up inspections and/or further documentation after selection and during the due diligence phase. If you have any concerns or question(s) about assessment methods, please contact the Minnesota Housing staff architect assigned to your region.
Continuums of Care (COCs), Counties and Service Providers
At this time, CoCs, counties and service providers are focused on the COVID-19 emergency response for the people they serve. It is critical to notify them as soon as possible about the forms you need completed and to schedule time on meeting agendas. They will need more time to accommodate requests; your early contact and patience will be much appreciated.
Market Studies
Market study analysts may encounter hindrances to completing work, particularly related to field work and accessing market information. Disruption to regular office hours for important contacts such as property managers, HRAs, and planning officials, and the onset of teleworking may create delays in analysts’ ability to obtain certain market information. If circumstances restrict analysts’ ability to complete a market study, Minnesota Housing suggests the following alternatives for information-gathering.
Field Work:
- Consult third parties, such as architects or engineers
- Use internet services such as Google Earth, Google Street View, Bing, or county assessor websites
- For existing properties, request a virtual tour or photographs of the site from the property manager
- For new construction, the developer may also be a resource for photographs
Surveying Current Rent Data:
- Use alternative data sources for rents
- Access published information on properties’ or management companies’ websites
- Consider aged data from an interview from the recent past (to be disclosed in the report if used)
If any of these alternatives or others are used to produce the market study, the analyst must disclose and detail their methods.
