HRA of Austin

10/09/2026

Congratulations to our HRA of Austin Board Chair, Vern Lippert! 👏

Vern received the Conrad Rettmer Award for Commissioners at the Minnesota NAHRO Annual Conference, recognizing his leadership, dedication, and service.

HRA of Austin Executive Director and Minnesota NAHRO Senior Vice President Taggert Medgaarden had the honor of presenting Vern with the award.

We’re proud to see Vern recognized and grateful for his commitment to the HRA, our residents, and the Austin community. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved honor!

09/30/2026

We’re hiring! Join the HRA of Austin as a full-time Administrative Assistant.

This position supports daily office operations, assists residents and applicants, prepares Board meeting materials, and provides administrative support for housing programs and the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP).

We’re looking for someone who is organized, detail oriented, enjoys working with people, and communicates well. A high school diploma or GED is required. Relevant administrative, customer service, housing, or program experience is preferred.

The position is open until filled.

The application is available on our website, along with the full job posting and wage information:
https://www.austinhra.org/contact-us/employment-opportunities/

You can also stop into our office to pick up an application:
HRA of Austin
308 2nd Ave NE
Austin, MN 55912

Please share with anyone who may be interested!

The HRA of Austin is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

09/27/2026

🏡 A quick update on our HRA of Austin/Riverland house project 2025-2026

After a very rainy year caused some serious delays, the landscaping is finally complete! The listing now has updated photos showing off the finished landscaping and how nicely everything came together.

We’ve also recently reduced the price by $10,000!

This is a great house built through a great partnership with Riverland, and it’s ready for its new owner.

Check out the updated photos and listing:

This 2173 square feet Single Family home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 201 25th St SW, Austin, MN.

09/16/2026

🏠 Riverland/HRA Project Update!

This year’s Riverland Community College and HRA construction project is progressing quickly! The footings and foundation walls are up, and work continues on our new twin home.

This year’s move from building a single family home to a twin home gives students in Riverland’s Carpentry and Electrical programs even more hands on, real world experience while also helping add new housing to our community.

Riverland has been a great partner in this effort over the years. This partnership not only helps the HRA bring additional housing to Austin, but also provides students with valuable experience that prepares them for careers in the skilled trades and helps strengthen our local workforce.

We’re excited to see the project take shape and will continue sharing photos and progress updates throughout the school year as the students bring these homes to life!

08/27/2026

🏠 HRA of Austin and Riverland Community College Break Ground on Twin Home Project! 🔨

Today, the HRA of Austin and Riverland Community College broke ground on another exciting collaboration!

In past years, our partnership has focused on building a single-family home. This year, we’re thinking bigger and building a twin home!

This project is a true win-win for our community. Not only are we adding two new homes to Austin’s housing stock, but Riverland students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in the trades through a real-world construction project.

A big thank you to Riverland Community College’s Carpentry and Electrical programs, their instructors and students, and everyone involved with the HRA of Austin for continuing to make this partnership a success.

As with our past projects, we’ll share updates along the way so you can follow the twin home as it takes shape!

Building housing. Building skills. Building our community. 🏠🔨⚡

07/30/2026

🏡 The latest Riverland Community College/HRA of Austin partnership home is officially on the market!

Check out the listing below and please share.

This 2173 square feet Single Family home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 201 25th St SW, Austin, MN.

07/17/2026

Strengthen your skills and confidence as a hearing officer by joining Minnesota NAHRO's Hearing Officer Specialist training.

07/04/2026

06/17/2026

☀️ Solar Project Complete at Chauncey & Courtyard Apartments! ☀️

We’re excited to share that the solar energy systems at Chauncey Apartments and Courtyard Apartments are now installed, operational, and generating clean energy! 🌞⚡

Earlier this year, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Austin received funding through the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program that fully funded the installation of solar energy systems at both properties. Thanks to this investment, along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit through the Direct Pay (Elective Pay) program, these projects are now delivering renewable energy right here in our community.

The electricity generated by the systems will help offset costs for common areas, including shared lighting and building spaces. Most importantly, the annual savings will be reinvested into long-term capital improvements at the properties, helping us continue to provide quality housing and make meaningful upgrades that benefit residents.

We’re proud to see this project move from planning to reality and grateful to the Minnesota Department of Commerce and all our partners who helped make it possible. 🌱

📸 Check out the completed installations below!

Minnesota Department of Commerce

06/02/2026

We’ve been hearing reports that Todd the Bear has been making his way around Austin this week.

While we can’t confirm every sighting, we did spot him at Twin Towers lending a paw with the rooftop communications equipment. 🐻📶

If your cell service seems a little better lately, Todd may have been working some overtime.

All jokes aside, we’re glad to see our community having fun with Austin’s unexpected visitor. We hope Todd stays safe as he continues his travels. We encourage everyone to give wildlife plenty of space and admire from a distance.