By Anna Ballweber
CLAY COUNTY, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Clay County officials have approved a request for nearly $82,000 in affordable housing aid funds for the upcoming year, representing a nearly $13,000 increase from 2025.
The county allocated $68,698 for housing aid last year. This year’s request of $81,550 reflects a growing demand for affordable housing services in the community.
Over 40% of all renters are cost-burdened, according to a recent study by the Fargo-Moorhead COG.
“For many years, we’ve had not enough resources to meet the needs we’re seeing in the community. Our shelters are consistently full, that’s been happening for years,” said Emma Schmit, who has worked for Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAP-PL) for 13 years.
Schmit said the need for affordable housing is at its peak.
“In Clay County, there’s over 300 households that are on the list right now that are waiting for housing services and supportive services, and there’s not a lot of movement on that list,” Schmit said.
The housing aid funds specifically support preserving affordable housing developments, emergency rental assistance and money for non-profit providers.
“However, the vast majority of people that need these services will not receive them because there’s just not enough resources in our community,” added Schmit.
Clay County Commissioners approved the housing aid request in December. The requested amount still needs to be reviewed and scored by a selection committee before it can be put to use.
There is no official date set for when the increase proposal gets finalized.
This funding is separate from Clay County’s Homeless Prevention aid, which has preliminary allocations totaling over $300,000 for 2026.
