Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA)

What is Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA)?

LAHA is a 0.25% sales tax collected across the entire seven-county metropolitan area by the Minnesota Department of Revenue to be used for affordable housing. Each county receives a different amount of aid, the amounts are determined by a formula that includes the percentage of rent-burdened households within each municipality. Ramsey County has been allocated a total amount of $6,011,349 for 2024.

Ramsey County’s Strategy

Ramsey County’s seeks to invest across the County’s housing continuum to better support residents and housing providers. In 2024, Ramsey County’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Department will support and stabilize our existing supportive housing partners. The costs of operating affordable housing have increased, and additional resources are needed. Increased costs have coincided with an increase in residents seeking supportive services. LAHA presents an opportunity to invest in the future of our non-profit development partners.

Ramsey County also knows that if we can prevent housing instability in the first-place families will have more success. Ramsey County’s Housing Stability Department (HSD) will invest approximately one million dollars into initiatives aimed at preventing eviction and homelessness. Programs could include investments in rental assistance and other eviction prevention measures, such as the Housing Court Collaborative.

The Timeline

Ramsey County CED will be releasing the Support and Stabilize solicitation in late October 2024, check back for more details soon.