Heritage Park Apartments: $6 million investment aims to address poor living conditions
Heritage Park Apartments crisis: NAACP demands Minneapolis take action
The NAACP is demanding the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and city leaders to take action on the living conditions at the Heritage Park Apartments. FOX 9's Karen Scullin has more.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The City of Minneapolis is investing millions of dollars into Heritage Park Apartments after public outcry from the NAACP and residents over unsafe living conditions and calls for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) director to resign.
The MPHA Board of Commissioners said it voted on Wednesday to approve a $6 million investment as part of a larger plan to restore the complex.
READ MORE: Heritage Park Apartments crisis: NAACP demands Minneapolis take action
Minneapolis investing millions in Heritage Park Apartments
Heritage Park residents demand action amid heat wave
Advocates, community leaders, and residents held a news conference regarding severe living conditions at the Heritage Park Apartments in Minneapolis. Following the city's approval of $2.5 million in funding to assist with resident relocation, the Minneapolis NAACP and local tenants are demanding swift action to move families out of unsafe units dealing with mold, pest infestations, and extreme heat.
By the numbers:
The proposed investment is split into $3 million for near-term needs and $3 million to support long-term stabilization.
MPHA said it is repurposing funding from other agency projects and using a portion of its annual housing levy to provide the funds.
A news release from the MPHA states the initial $3 million would help cover operating shortfalls at the site, including property management services, grounds and building maintenance, insurance and utilities.
This comes after documented issues with mold, persistent water problems, and even animals inside their homes.
READ MORE: Minneapolis Heritage Park apartments: Hundreds of open work orders despite millions in extra funding
The remaining $3 million, drawn from MPHA's 2027 housing levy, is intended to help fund a future large-scale construction project, the news release states.
That project is estimated to cost at least $55 million to $65 million and could include complete unit renovations covering kitchens, bathrooms, appliances and finishes, replacement or upgrades to aging building systems like plumbing, electrical and HVAC, and repairs to building envelopes including roofs, exterior stucco and windows.
Minneapolis leaders seeking $2.5M for Heritage Park Housing crisis
Minneapolis officials are calling Heritage Park housing a crisis and seeking $2.5 million in emergency funding. More than 680 residents must be moved from unsafe conditions, including mold and infestations. FOX 9's Karen Scullin has the story.
What they're saying:
MPHA Director Abdi Warsame shared the following statement:
"MPHA is committed to meeting the moment at Heritage Park by coupling the $12 million the agency has invested at the site since 2022 with this proposed new $6 million dollar investment to support Heritage Park residents. Agency staff have been working to address the challenges at Heritage Park for years, including leading the work to have the site’s former owner assign the property to creditors and have a Hennepin County court appoint a third-party receiver in December. Until recently, there has been limited political will to join MPHA in investing meaningfully in Heritage Park. I am deeply thankful for the advocacy of Council Member Warren to elevate the issue and spurring additional city investment in the site. In partnership with the city, state, HUD, and other stakeholders, we can restore the once vibrant Heritage Park community."
Former Heritage Park owner's history
The former, long-time owners of Heritage Park has a history of neglect. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has more.
The backstory:
City officials say Heritage Park is currently controlled by a court-appointed receiver.
The site’s former owner agreed to assign the property to creditors in December 2025, according to a news release from the MPHA. A Hennepin County court then removed that owner from operational control of the site and appointed a third-party receiver.
MPHA points out that it owns the land Heritage Park sits on, but it has not owned, operated, or controlled any housing units at Heritage Park, including units receiving public housing subsidies, since it was built.
What's next:
The plan now heads to the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation for a Sept. 9 presentation.
If approved, the MPHA said its total investment at the site would exceed $18 million since 2022.
The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and previous FOX 9 reporting.