High-Rise Sprinkler System Program

Eligible high-rise residential buildings are described as existing residential buildings that meet the following criteria:

• Provide permanent residential housing that is not time limited; and
• Have at least one story used for human occupancy that is 75 feet or more above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Applicants must own the building. Applicants may be one of the following organizational types:

• A tax-exempt nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• A federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota or their associated Tribally designated Housing Entity
• A Local Unit of Government
• For-Profit Business

Note: In accordance with Minnesota Session Laws 2023, Regular Session, chapter 37, article 2, section10, priority shall be given to nonprofit applicants.

Buildings must meet the following program requirements:

• Have at least two-thirds of its units affordable to households with an annual income at or below 50% of area median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), adjusted for family size. Qualifying households shall not be paying more than 30% of annual income on rent.
• Accept rental subsidies including but not limited to vouchers under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended.
• Meet the Match Fund requirement:
  • Each grant to a non-profit organization, local unit of government, or federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota or their associated Tribally Designated Housing Entity shall require a 25% match.
  • Each grant to a for-profit organization shall require a minimum 50% match.

For more details about program eligibility, reference Chapters 2 and 3 of the High-Rise Sprinkler System Program Guide

Grantees may only use HRSS Program funds for costs associated with the installation of the
Sprinkler System Refer to Chapter 4 (Eligible Expenses) of the  High-Rise Sprinkler System Program Guide for additional information.

• Application Instructions
• Application Form
• Application Signature Page
• Self-Scoring Worksheet
• Work Plan and Budget
• Instructions: How to Find Demographic Information for Self-Scoring
• Risk Assessment Forms
  • Risk Assessment Form – Nonprofit Organizations
  • Risk Assessment Form – For-Profit Business Entities
  • Risk Assessment Form – Political Subdivisions
• Internal Controls Certification (nonprofits and for-profits only)
  • Internal Controls Certification – Nonprofit Organizations, if applicable
  • Internal Controls Certification – For-Profit Business Entities, if applicable
• Height Verification Letter (if needed)

• All required documents must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) Central Time on Monday, November 4, 2024 in order to be considered for funding.
• Application materials must be sent to mhfa.app@state.mn.us through the Secure Upload Tool. Review the Secure Upload Tool Instructions for more information.