Mayor Jacob Frey, City Council Member Pearll Warren (Ward 5) and City staff are bringing forward a proposal today requesting the City Council re-allocate $2.5 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to address urgent needs surrounding the property at Heritage Park. The funding will provide support services – including potential relocation help and other assistance – to impacted residents while next steps are determined to address the physical conditions of the units. The 20-year-old housing complex fell into disrepair last year, and a court-appointed receiver took ownership of the property.
“People deserve homes that are safe to live in — that’s not negotiable,” said Mayor Frey. “The $2.5 million we’re bringing forward today is about making sure support is available and any relocation is minimally disruptive. Residents shouldn’t have to navigate this uncertainty alone, and the City is stepping up to help however we can.”
Heritage Park’s timeline
Last week, third-party contractors hired by the court-ordered receiver, Certus Financial LLC, working with the property manager, Property Solutions & Services (PSS), found the presence of mold in many of the units. As a result of the initial findings and upon request of the receiver, the City will conduct a second mold assessment to verify the results and better understand the extent of the issue and condition of the buildings.
"The conditions at Heritage Park are unacceptable, and I want the residents to hear this directly from me: I will not stop fighting for you,” said Ward 5 Council Member Pearll Warren. “I will continue pushing everyone involved—the City, MPHA, the court-appointed receiver, and the property manager—to put them first and ensure that no one is left behind. Every family deserves a safe and healthy place to call home, and I will not stop until the people of Heritage Park get the support and accountability they deserve."
While no decisions have been made on the future of the sites, the City and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) are preparing for the possibility that residents may need to relocate.
“We are committed to helping our neighbors in need, and we are working with several City departments and Twin Cities partners, including the MPHA, to make sure they are safe,” said Director Rachel Sayre, City of Minneapolis Emergency Management. “The potential impacts of mold exposure can cause several health concerns, and we want to make sure families have safe places to stay.”
Next steps
The City is already working with the MPHA, the court-appointed receiver and other partners to develop a relocation plan so that, if relocation becomes necessary, every household has the support it needs throughout the process. While there is not a confirmed timeline for relocation or what will be done to address the condition of the property, the City and its partners are working urgently to provide clear answers. More news is expected as assessments continue and relocation planning progresses.
If any Heritage Park residents are experiencing a health or safety issue in their unit, they are asked to notify Property Solutions & Services (PSS) immediately so the issue can be addressed as quickly as possible.