County housing assistance changes are in the works
News | Published on October 22, 2024 at 1:50pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0Deadline looms for county tax rebate program
By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
The deadline for homebuilders to apply for the Otter Tail County Property Tax Rebate Program is approaching, with applications due by Dec. 31, 2024. This program offers a rebate on property taxes for new home construction, providing up to $10,000 from the county.
While the rebate program is ending, the county remains committed to expanding housing through other programs led by the Community Development Agency (CDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA).
Community Development Director Amy Baldwin told county commissioners that the department has started communications with community partners conveying that applications are due by the end of the calendar year.
Since its launch in 2019, the program has supported over 350 new home builds, aligning with the county’s Big Build Initiative, which focuses on housing growth and investment.
Baldwin said the purpose of the Community Development Agency (CDA) is to strengthen the communities of Otter Tail County by expanding housing opportunities, promoting business development and fostering the coordination of public and private resources.
The CDA is a local government agency that is governed by an 8-member board.
County Commissioner Lee Rogness of Fergus Falls said the CDA deserves credit for not only increasing housing throughout the county but also for expanding the county’s tax base.