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4 PRESERVING HOUSING: A BEST PRACTICES REVIEW Access to housing information and expertise sUpports housing preservation. county. In doing so, the HRA works with a city to identify housing needs and then tailors financing plans to meet them. The HI~A has experience with federal and state housing programs, and its knowledge benefits the cities, which lack the resources to develop their own housing expertise. Another best practice tied to offering financial assistance is following management controls to minimize the risks posed by expensive, time-consuming projects.' Matching project cost estimates with available financing and inspecting work before paying contractors are examples of these controls. It is also important to identify and communicate .: with prospective clients. Example: The Contra/Minnesota Housing Partnership, a nonprofit housing organization serving 16 counties, takes a "hands on" approach to administering the HOME Rental tRehab program. The Partnership identifies and inspects potentially eligible properties, develops the scope of the work, monitors the work, conducts final inspections, and disburses money to contractors. Its active management role helps it meet program requirements ~and ensure quality outcomes. Providing access to housing information and expertise is another strategy that supports housing preservation. Related best practices include: working collaboradvely with other organizations, identifying unmet information needs; and' tailoring information to meet those needs. Example: As part of implementing a program to license and improve rental units, the Morris Housing Authority became an information resource for landlords. Besides offedng information about the rental program and available rehab financing, .the Authority provided a sample damage-deposit form and a checklist to assess rental unit conditions. Offering useful information lessened resistance to the rental licensing program. Cities or their agents should use a variety of means to communicate housing information. People learn in different ways and are looking for information at different times. Effective housing preserVation recognizes and accommodates these differences. Example: Richfield and the Richfield HRA use many different ways to communicate housing-improvement information to residents. Written materials include a remodeling planbook, a contractor referral list, and numerous tip sheets on topics such as how to secure bids from contractors. The HRA offers the services of a Remodeling Advisor, who meets with homeowners to discuss renovation options. Richfield sponsors an annual remodeling fair, and it publicizes housing information using the city newsletter, Web site, and utility bill inserts. Some communities' housing may need direct repair and rehabilitation serVices, such as weatherization or acquiring and rehabilitating rundown properties for resale. Best practices vary by the serVice but cover program planning, implementation, and marketing. Example: For decades, Semcac, a community act/on agency in southeast Minnesota, has offered weatherization services to qualifying households. Semcao's rehabilitation specialists conduct energy audits. Its work crews insulate and weather-strip eligible homes and olean and tune a home's furnace when' necessary. Crews are familiar with the agency's other housing preservation programs and refer eligible property owners to them. Finally, cities should periodically review their strategies to determine how well housing objectives are met. Effective evaluation reveals whether te modify or discontinue a strategy. The full report, Preserving Housing: A Best Practices Review (#po03-05), is available at 851-296-4708 or: www. a uditor.le~t.state.mn.us/ ped/20O3/pe0305.htrn