Olmsted County supports new veterans housing through strategic land transfer

The Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA), in partnership with Olmsted County Veteran Services and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), is supporting the development of new affordable housing for veterans experiencing homelessness in Rochester.

The project is centered on a county‑owned parcel at 504 4th Avenue SE. The land, held by the county since the 1990s, was no longer needed for public use and was transferred to the HRA. The HRA made the decision to transfer the lot to MACV for the veterans housing project.

During early planning, the HRA also identified two adjacent privately owned parcels that MACV can incorporate into the development. Together, the three-parcel site can support up to 12 housing units. MACV reviewed the site and confirmed it meets its needs for size, accessibility, and proximity to services.

MACV will oversee development, operations, and supportive services for residents. The organization provides housing support, employment services, legal assistance, and case management tailored to veterans. Lennar Homebuilders plans to contribute a portion of construction costs through its community giving program.

“I’m proud that our team was able to connect the dots to make this project a reality,” said Olmsted County Housing Director Dave Dunn. “This project converts a long‑underutilized site into an asset that will provide value for years to come.”

“Olmsted County Veteran Services is excited to be a part of the collaboration,” said Olmsted County Veteran Services Manager Tiffany Canfield. “Our team recognizes that by working together we can build a better future for our community and the veterans who live here. We strongly believe that supporting veterans helps build a vibrant community.”

Olmsted County’s role in this project focuses on connecting partners, providing the land, and putting an unused county asset to work for the community. The cost to the county is minimal, and the effort supports broader county goals to strengthen the local housing continuum and help reduce homelessness.

This collaboration reflects how Olmsted County uses available tools and partnerships to support housing options for residents and make responsible use of public resources.