Staff photo by Fritz Busch Ross Park Apartments Director Lisa Lax stands outside the 45-unit HUD-subsidized apartment building in Sleepy Eye. The facility was recently awarded $545,100 from the Minnesota Publicly Owned Housing Program for roof replacement.

SLEEPY EYE — Ross Park Apartments Director Lisa Lax said she’s pleased to be able to repair and upgrade the facility thanks to Minnesota Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) funding.

The program recently awarded $545,100 to Ross Park for a roof project. Last year, Ross Park received more than $1.3 million for building upgrades.

“I feel fortunate to have been awarded funding the last two years,” said Lax. “The application process was quite competitive. We had a physical needs assessment done that identified sewer and water upgrades and roof replacement.”

She said last year’s state funding will be used to replace original sewer and water systems for the 55-year-old, HUD-subsidized apartment building at 313 4th Ave. S.E., plus new apartment windows and doors.

The state program approved financing for more than $53 million in repairs and updates to 32 public housing buildings statewide for people with low incomes.

Sixty-five percent of households that will benefit from repairs have incomes under $20,000 a year.

Funding this year comes from state appropriations and General Obligation Bonds for 22 projects in rural Minnesota and 10 in the Twin Cities metro area.

“Public housing is some of the most affordable housing across the state,” said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. “Addressing these much-needed repairs and upgrades will improve the quality of life for their residents and communities.”

Minnesota Housing has awarded more than $150 million in POHP funding to 163 rehabilitation projects since the program began in 2012. One-third of the funding was awarded this year due to increased legislative investment.

Park Apartments in St. James also received POHP for building repair and upgrades.

For more information, visit www.mnhousing.gov.