Mora completes comprehensive housing study

The city of Mora recently completed a comprehensive housing study to help address community needs.

The study was conducted by Maxfield Research and Consulting, and examines housing conditions and projects through 2035.

According to a news release from community development director Kirsten Faurie, the analysis found that Mora’s rental market is tight, with a total vacancy rate of 0.5%.

Rental housing targeted to the area’s workforce and housing targeted to older adults were identified as two of the city’s most pressing needs.

Faurie said new housing development will likely require public-private partnership to move forward.

“One thing the analysis made clear was that new housing development is likely going to require public-private partnership in order to move forward,” Faurie said in the release.

The study recommends modestly-sized 32-36 unit apartment buildings and 10-12 unit rental townhome projects to address the city’s pent-up demand.

The analysis was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, with support coming from the Mora and Kanabec County economic development authorities, Mora Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and St. Clare Living Community of Mora.