HomeMy WebLinkAbout05(D) - Approve Contribution of $50,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid funds to The Link Passageways Property Report
ITEM: 5D
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 09, 2025
PREPARED BY: Jason Wedel, City Manager
PRESENTED BY: Jason Wedel
AGENDA ITEM: Approve Contribution of $50,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid
funds to The Link Passageways Property
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the contribution of $50,000 in Local Affordable Housing Aid funds to The Link
Passageway property.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature approved new state funding for housing, including a first-
ever tax dedicated to affordable housing. The new 0.25% Metro Area Sales and Use Tax for
Housing provides a separate funding source called Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) to
cities located within the seven-county metropolitan area with a population over 10,000. The City
received two payments in 2024 totaling $109,824.66 and the first payment in 2025 of
$133,448.99. These funds can only be used to support affordable housing.
The Link Passageways property is located at 13780 McKenna Road NW in Prior Lake. They are
an emergency shelter for youth ages 12 to 17 who are victims of sex trafficking. Youth staying at
this location are provided on-site supportive services which include:
Case management
Mental health therapy
Chemical dependency counseling
Education programming including on-site school
Physical health care services
Life skills training
Survivor mentor program
Positive youth development activities
Victim services for youth interacting with law enforcement
Family reunification counseling and support
Their facility is aging and in need of a significant remodel. Per their attached request, they are
looking to make essential upgrades to the property to ensure it can fully support the
programming and services offered at the site. This includes both necessary renovations and
deferred maintenance. They anticipate the completion of this work by the first quarter of 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The City has contributed LAHA funds previously for the three separate phases of the Twin Cities
Habitat for Humanity project located near Ponds Park on 170th Street SE. The current balance
City of Prior Lake | 4646 Dakota Street SE | Prior Lake MN 55372
Item 5D
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of LAHA funds available is $149,678.66. If this request is approved it will reduce the balance to
$99,678.66.
Per State Statute, LAHA funds must be spent within three years of the City's receipt or they will
need to be returned to the State.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to approve the contribution of
$50,000 in LAHA funds to The Link Passageways per their request dated August
18, 2025.
2. Motion and second to remove this item from the consent agenda for further
discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. The Link Passageways Funding Request
The Link 1210 Glenwood Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55405 612-388-7444 www.thelinkmn.org
August 18, 2025
Mr. Jason Wedel
City Manager
City of Prior Lake
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Re: Request for Local Aid
Dear Mr. Wedel:
Thank you for your willingness to consider financial support for The
Link’s renovation of the Passageways property located at 13780
McKenna Rd. NW, Prior Lake, MN 55379, which was purchased in
June 2024. This facility plays a critical role in providing a safe and
stable environment for youth and young adults escaping sex
trafficking.
We are seeking to make essential upgrades to the property to
ensure it can fully support the programming and services offered at
this site. These improvements include both necessary renovations
and deferred maintenance, with completion anticipated in Q1 2026.
Please accept this letter as our formal request for $50,000 from the
City of Prior Lake to assist with these renovation efforts. Your
support will directly help create a safe, welcoming, and healing
space where youth and young adults can rebuild their lives and
work toward a hopeful future.
Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to
supporting vulnerable youth in our community, we would be
honored to partner with the City of Prior Lake in making this vision a
reality.
Sincerely,
Beth Holger
CEO
Board of Directors
Jamar Hardy, Chair
Edina Realty
Jason Marvin, Vice-Chair
Boeckermann, Graftstrom,
& Mayer, LLC
Michael O’Neil, Treasurer
Target
Matt Amendola
General Mills
David Behrens
Graco
LaVina Branscomb
Former Client, City of Minneapolis
Kendra Garrett, Ph.D.
St. Catherine University/University
of St. Thomas
Jade Jorgenson
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Craig A. Kepler
Best & Flanagan, LLP
Arianna Orcutt
PNC Bank
Cristen Purdy
Choice Bank
Kirsten Theisen
Target
Beth Holger
CEO
The Link
Community Advisory Board
Tom Nordyke, Chair
Nordyke Inc.
Judge Diane Alshouse
Retired Ramsey County Judge
Senator Scott Dibble
State Legislator from District 61
Commissioner Laurie Halverson
Dakota County Commissioner
Kelley Lindquist
Art Space
Jim Marshall
Founder
Former Vikings Player
Oscar Reed
Founder
Former Vikings Player
Gene Scapanski
Former Link Board Chair
Retired Professor
St. Thomas University
Susan Landwehr Marshall
Community Member