Housing Contributes to Thriving Red Wing

Many attributes mark success in a community. But nothing signifies growth like the construction of new housing affordable for all its residents.

“It is exciting when people want to live in your community,” said Kurt Keena, Executive Director with the Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). “If the housing supply is there to meet that demand, they can bring their talent and energy to help the community grow and thrive.”

As a regional center of Goodhue County and Western Wisconsin, Red Wing is a hub of economic activity with employers seeking to recruit, retain and add workforce.

“Red Wing is an old town that is fortunate to have a mix of real diversity in housing stock,” said Keena. “Not much new rental housing has been added until recently, so our supply is slightly behind demand.”

It is common for similar communities to bump up against the supply of housing for employees to live where they work. Red Wing has historically grown its housing base along with the economy’s growth. Yet, it is finding itself in a general housing shortage, with prices increasing to the point many individuals and families cannot afford them.

“Being able to afford housing allows individuals to turn their attention to other concerns that improve their overall health, mental health and their ability to contribute to their community,” said Keena. “When you know where you are staying, you can focus on facets like employment and going to school.”

HRA

Keena began as HRA Executive Director in December 2021 after spending the vast majority of his career, spanning 32 years, working for various public and nonprofit entities centered around delivering affordable living space in communities. He was intrigued by Red Wing’s progressive reputation for providing affordable housing and knew the HRA would be a good fit for his skills. The HRA fills the role of encouraging housing development to meet the demand with a mission to provide quality, affordable, sustainable housing and community redevelopment programs. It has historically partnered with the City Council and Red Wing Port Authority to bring affordability into the housing conversation when the market will or can not do so. One example is the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, designed to continuously address the need for safe, affordable housing. With finances provided through a property tax levy, the Fund allows for affordable housing projects and a Homebuyers Assistance Program.

“Making progress toward affordable housing is more realistic with the appropriate resources to do so,” said Keena. 

Red Wing today

Several existing sites reflect Red Wing’s commitment to affordable housing. The HRA owns and manages three townhomes, one single-family home and the downtown Jordan Towers buildings with 200 apartments, providing rental assistance to qualified-income families. Keller Baartman Properties has been in Red Wing since 2002 with its Rivers Ridge and Park Place Apartments, as well as the Villas of Rivers Ridge Townhomes. Three Rivers Community Action owns the highly successful Eagles Ridge apartments, a very skilled usage of low-income tax credits, said Keena.

“Each of these properties was filled with a waiting list once they were complete,” he said. “They have proven a good market exists in Red Wing and shown other individuals and developers that they can complete profitable projects here.”

Keena said there is tremendous demand for housing in Red Wing from many segments like families just starting off to others seeking less burdensome upkeep that comes with a single-family home. He is optimistic the Red Wing community can address the housing demand as it has in the past. For example, Three Rivers Community Action is exploring a new 30 - 40 unit development similar to Eagles Ridge. 

“We are excited these developers are interested in being in Red Wing,” he said. “The HRA is busy working to partner with others to provide moderate subsidy levels that can result in  affordable rents in new complexes with all the amenities necessary today.”