Clare Housing Awarded Over $4.5 Million To Preserve Deeply Affordable Housing for People Living with HIV  — January 3, 2025

We’re happy to share the news that Clare Housing has been selected to receive over $4.5 million in housing preservation funds, via four different grantors. These grant awards are to be used exclusively for the rehabilitation of the 32 affordable rental units at Clare Apartments in Minneapolis. First opened in 2005, Clare Apartments was the first apartment building in the state dedicated to supportive housing for people living with HIV. 

Preservation of existing affordable housing is a critical issue in Minnesota. Without the necessary funding for rehabilitation, affordable housing organizations have been forced to sell properties with deferred maintenance issues. With housing costs rising across the state, any decrease in the number of affordable units will negatively impact communities. While funding opportunities are primarily focused on building new units, existing units must be preserved to ensure continued net gains in affordable housing. 

Discussing the current state of Clare Apartments, Executive Director Phoebe Trepp says “the building has been in operation for 19 years and has some systems that are in need of major repairs or replacements. The staff and property management teams have done an amazing job of keeping the building serviceable and mission aligned, but we have used all of our reserves and truly needed this funding to keep the building safe moving forward.”  

Thanks to $95,000 in capital funding from the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, we’ve been able to start addressing the most urgent repairs this winter. The other funding will cover crucial safety and livability upgrades, including a new elevator and roof replacement, plus a reserve for managing upkeep and maintenance for the next 15 years. Construction and rehab is expected to begin towards the end of 2025. 

The new funding includes $2,500,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) through the competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP); $1,120,000 from the City of Minneapolis Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and $935,605 from Minnesota Housing (MHFA). Each institution has their own competitive process through which Clare Housing was selected.  

Funding the preservation of existing affordable housing can be a complex challenge, with a very competitive system created by the high level of community need and limited funding resources. Thanks to the support of these funders, Clare Housing can continue to provide safe, stable housing to residents for years to come.