Common questions

Is relocation mandatory? Do I have to move?

We are offering assistance to residents who believe they need to relocate. To be clear, residents in units the City has been able to inspect are not required to leave. The City has NOT made any determination that would REQUIRE residents to relocate for units we have inspected.

As of now, NONE of the occupied units that the City’s Regulatory Services team has inspected meet the criteria for condemnation. That means that residents in those units can request to relocate if they choose to do so but are not required to move by the City.

The City says none of the currently occupied units have met the threshold for condemnation. What is the process in determining that?

Based on the time of inspection, the occupied units have not reached condemnation status. Inspectors issued orders on unoccupied units to “keep unit vacant” until all open code violations have been abated. Teams are prioritizing inspections of units that are occupied.

During the inspection process, inspectors identify violations as outlined in the housing maintenance code and write orders to correct if violations are found.

How do inspectors look for water damage? What is the threshold to ask people to relocate?

If City inspectors determine there is water damage, they write orders to correct the water damaged surface and the underlying cause of the damage (a leaky or broken pipe, for example).

There are a lot of people coming to Heritage Park. How can I identify a legitimate inspector or other City official?

There are several City officials, inspectors and third-party testers coming and going on the property. We appreciate residents’ understanding as testing and inspecting is done on the property. Residents should always be comfortable asking for any identification, especially if someone asks to come inside your home.

City inspectors will always be in a uniform and carry appropriate ID. You can see all the uniforms here.

Who is the main contact for questions about housing?

PSS is the main point of contact for residents. They can be reached at 1-888-451-8050 or email at hp@propertyss.com.

Will I be penalized for breaking lease conditions if I am relocated? Will I lose subsidies if I need to leave?

If inspection teams determine that any unit requires condemnation and the household needs to relocate, the City will work with PSS and MPHA to support relocation. The MPHA confirms that no one will lose any current subsidy or be penalized for breaking a lease due to concerns about unit conditions.

MPHA also notes that residents do not need to fill out any forms at this time to preserve either their subsidy or their ability to transfer units.

I see some units that are boarded up. What does that mean?

Many times, the boards are there to keep out unauthorized people, as many of these units are unoccupied. If the boarded units do not impede another resident’s ability to enter or exit the building safely, people may still live in the rest of the building. The City will write orders to have the boards removed and the damaged areas repaired.

Are there community on-site hours scheduled?

Yes. If you have any immediate needs or questions for the City of Minneapolis, MPHA or PSS, staff will be available at the Community Center at Heritage Park at 1001 Olson Memorial Highway on the following days:

Tuesday, July 28
Thursday, July 30
Tuesday, August 4
Thursday August 6

What is the $2.5 million that the Minneapolis City Council approved used for?

The $2.5 million was allocated from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help address concerns at Heritage Park. The money will be used for two purposes:

For Certus or an affiliated entity to hire contractors to perform rehabilitation work on units.
For a contracted benefit provider to help with potential relocation activities for eligible residents. We have not yet identified the provider. We will inform you when we have one available to work with you.

The City is still working through this process and will keep residents informed.