NAHRO Award of Excellence

The Washington County CDA is a proud recipient of an Award of Excellence from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for its part in the development of the Bluestem Apartments in the southern Washington County, MN, community of Cottage Grove.

Selected from the larger group of NAHRO Awards of Merit winners each year, the Awards of Excellence represent the best work of housing and community development agencies nationwide. This year, seventeen Awards of Excellence were presented at the annual conference in Phoenix, AZ. Because it is extremely rare for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer new rent assistance contracts, the launch of the Bluestem development is a noteworthy cause for celebration.

Bluestem Apartments is a new development that provides 52 affordable studios and one-bedroom apartments prioritized for low-income senior and disabled households. The location offers the convenience of the Park Grove Library just a stone’s throw away, making it easy to access resources and attend community events. The nearby grocery and retail stores ensure that daily essentials and shopping needs are met without having to travel far. The accessibility of a nearby bus route also provides easy transportation options. This prime location truly offers a perfect blend of accessibility, amenities, and convenience for those who call it home.

The Washington County CDA partnered with Trellis Corp., a local nonprofit developer/owner, to leverage scarce federal housing resources to stabilize housing costs for our lowest income elders. This project came together through the use of multiple funding sources, including American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by Washington County and additional funding from the City of Cottage Grove, ensuring long-term affordability for residents. Frana Construction and Kaas Wilson collaborated as builders and architects on the design and construction of the development, which opened in spring 2025.