Expansion of affordable housing programs to rural communities could get some attention, after county officials met with Albert Lea Housing Redevelopment Authority Director Jon Ford Wednesday to discuss future cooperation between the two agencies.

The county has not actively used its HRA, which shares the same board members as the Board of Commissioners. There is no administrative body and no budget.

But, Ford emphasized the HRA can be a gem for rural communities, and the benefits could come for free.

&uot;There are many programs available to us,&uot; Ford said. &uot;We should make those services available to people throughout the county.&uot;

The expansion of the Section 8 program, which subsidizes rent for low-income households, to the smaller cities is something that the county can start, according to Ford.

The federal government issues 155 Section 8 vouchers to the city HRA. But, when Ford was hired as the director last fall, about 50 vouchers remained unused.

The program is for Albert Lea and residents living within five miles from the boundary. But Ford thinks that if the county HRA formally cooperates with the city HRA, his agency can distribute the vouchers throughout the county.

Ford also said there are a number of housing programs both for building and rehabilitating homes. Many of those grants include administrative costs for the HRA, so there would be no local costs at all.

&uot;Making a partnership benefits both the county and us,&uot; Ford said. &uot;We provide about $2 million in direct positive economic impact a year. That’s a pretty big thing to the community.&uot;

Both entities agreed to seek a some type of mutual agreement, and hope to reach a contract when any project outside the city

becomes concrete.