Senior Housing Narrative
Instructions: This form is required for all entities that will apply for Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIB) under the Senior Housing eligible use and is applicable for the 2023 and 2024 Multifamily Consolidated Request for Proposal (RFP) / 2024 and 2025 Housing Tax Credits (HTC) funding rounds. The owner/developer must complete this form, with input from the management agent and service provider, as needed. Applicants may also use this form to provide certification that the local entity has reviewed the plan (refer to the signature and certification section, below).

HIB Senior Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for funding, projects must adhere to the following:
•	Eligible projects include: new construction, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, replacement and acquisition
•	100% of the units must be intended for occupancy by at least one senior (aged 55 or older) per unit and whose gross annual combined household income does not exceed 50% of the: 
o	Metropolitan area median income for properties in the 11-county metropolitan area, not adjusted for household size, or
o	Statewide median income for properties outside the 11-county metropolitan area, not adjusted for household size
o	Specific guidance can be found in the Housing Infrastructure Income Limits for Senior Housing document on the Multifamily Rent and Income Limits webpage
•	HIB statute gives preference to projects that further serve households with a gross annual income that does not exceed 30% of the metropolitan area median, not adjusted for household size. Minnesota Housing will prioritize the selection and funding of proposals that achieve this preference and demonstrate financial feasibility.
•	The applicant must have a service plan that describes access to services to support residents as they age in place and demonstrates the ability to increase physical supports and supportive services as residents age and experience increasing levels of disability. The plan must be submitted for review by the local public housing authority (PHA), housing and redevelopment authority (HRA), community development agency (CDA), or economic development authority (EDA) that operates in the region where the project is located. This document may serve as an initial service plan for purposes of the application. Applicants may use this form to provide certification that the local entity has reviewed the plan.  
•	The project must provide residents access to services and demonstrate the ability to increase physical supports and supportive services as residents age and experience increasing levels of disability
o	Minimum Requirement: A tenant service coordinator must be provided. The tenant service coordinator will be full or part time and will be responsible for arranging and coordinating services to address the needs of residents to live independently and remain in their homes. Applicants must demonstrate that sufficient support is available to provide or connect residents to recreational and community activities, community services such as transportation and meals, and health and personal care services to assist with activities of daily living. 
•	Projects must be appropriately designed for the targeted population.

NOTE: HIB proceeds will only be available to independent living projects. Independent senior housing financed by Minnesota Housing is currently exempt from obtaining assisted living licensing.
Minnesota Housing reserves the right to request additional information as part of its application review process.  

Minnesota Housing supports senior housing design elements that allow a residence to be adapted to an individual’s changing needs as they age by:
•	Requiring new construction or substantial rehabilitation with more than four units per building to meet the statutory design requirements found in the Housing Infrastructure Guide. 
•	Requiring senior projects to meet Minnesota Housing’s Rental Housing Design and Construction Standards.
•	Requiring senior projects to meet  Minnesota Housing’s Universal Design requirements and provide a Universal Design Worksheet at application and again prior to 100% Construction Document approval. 
•	Recommending the following design best practices to further meet the needs of senior populations:
o	Elevator(s) at buildings two stories or more. At least one elevator should be large enough to accommodate a 24 inch by 84 inch ambulance stretcher.
o	Common area toilet room(s) near the main entry/ lobby.
o	Common rest area with seating next to mail, elevators, and long corridors.
o	Provide a covered drop-off at the main entrance with seating. 
o	Provide trash and recycling collection at one area per each story.
o	Corridors with handrails on at least one side should be a minimum of 6 feet wide, 8 feet wide encouraged.
o	At dwelling unit main entry doors, provide door knocker or door bell with viewer and name plate. 

Owner/Developer/Service Provider Information
1.	Describe your organization’s previous experience providing independent housing with a services component to a senior population similar to the population and model you propose to serve. Include any applicable licenses, certifications or accreditations of your organization or staff.
     
2.	Provide an organizational portfolio of current senior developments, and include its current housing model (e.g., independent living, assisted living, memory care) and whether or not the development(s) is (are) licensed as assisted living by the Minnesota Department of Health
     

Property and Project Information 
1.	Describe the population to be served for this development, including the number and percentage of residents with a need for services at initial occupancy, as well as characteristics such as income, age, the progression of service needs as residents age in place, and how the proposed model will meet their needs. 
     
  
Housing Model and Services
1.	Describe the range of services that will be offered or provided to residents:
a.	Explain how services will be designed to meet the needs of residents as they age and experience increasing levels of disability.
     
b.	Identify who will provide specific services (including whether it will be staff, a community partner, a contracted service provider, or if residents arrange for their own services), and explain how that person or those people will provide or assist residents to connect with and access services: 
i.	Provision of or connection to recreational, resident and community activities
     
ii.	Provision of or connection to community services (e.g., meal delivery, transportation)
     
iii.	Provision of or connection to home and community-based services to assist residents in activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, mobility assistance). If these services are provided by staff or a contracted service provider, be sure to describe how residents will be provided a choice of service provider
     
c.	For any services provided by staff, describe the job duties, number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) for each job type, and the funding source.
     
d.	If the operating budget includes staffing or other specific line items necessary for supporting this population, explain what specific or unique line-item expenses are needed, and why (e.g., tenant service coordinator).  
     

 Signature and Certification
The applicant agrees to provide the housing and services outlined for this project. The owner certifies that the above narrative and any other service plan documentation has been provided for review to the local public housing authority (PHA), housing and redevelopment authority (HRA), community development agency (CDA) or economic development authority (EDA) that operates where the project is located. If the owner is selected for funding, the partners may wish to enter into a more formal agreement. Any formal agreement must be approved by Minnesota Housing prior to closing on the project. Approval will be at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion.

     	     	
Owner Name	Organization Name	
     	     	
Authorized Signature	Title	
     	     	
Printed Name of Signatory	Date