The Housing and Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved resolutions Tuesday supporting applications for $4.5 million in Metropolitan Council funding for two affordable housing projects in the city.

The board approved applications for Livable Communities Demonstration Account funding totaling $4.5 million. Blooming Meadows South will seek $2.5 million for substantial rehabilitation of existing units, while the new Lyndale Apartments project will request $2 million for construction of 213 affordable units near the bus rapid transit station.

Juan Torres, director of housing development at AON, told commissioners the Blooming Meadows South project involves rehabilitating over 300 existing units with improvements including roof replacement, elevator modernization and plumbing upgrades. The project aims to keep all units at or below 60% of area median income, with hopes to maintain affordability below 50%. Construction is planned for 2026-2027 with an estimated total project cost of $90 million.

The Lyndale Apartments project, located south of Interstate 90 and Lyndale Avenue near the former Jewelers site, would create 213 new workforce housing units. The development would be 100% affordable and Energy Star certified, featuring amenities including playgrounds, fitness center and community spaces. The project qualifies for transit-oriented development funding due to its proximity to high-frequency transit.

Commissioners also received updates on The Heights project, which will require an additional $350,000 in funding due to budget overruns. Staff scheduled site visits for July 28 and announced the city received a recommendation for $2.6 million in state Bring it Home voucher program funding over two years, pending Minnesota Housing's final vote on July 24.