Scott County Community Development Agency

What Scott County Community Development Agency does

Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) is a Minnesota government agency established by an act of the Legislature in 1974 (Chapter 473) and headquartered at 100 5th Avenue East, Shakopee. Originally constituted as the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), it operates today as a Community Development Agency serving all 8 cities in Scott County with a staff of 11-50 employees. The CDA delivers three integrated service lines: affordable housing (Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8, Project Based Assistance, Rural Development Properties, and 478 senior housing units across nine 55+ communities plus the new Legacy Central); homeownership support (HUD-certified first-time homebuyer counseling, Community Land Trust, foreclosure prevention counseling, and 0% interest home improvement loans of $15,000-$35,000); and economic development (Center for Entrepreneurship, Business Accelerator, NextStage, CEO Next, FAST-TRACK Challenge, small business loans of $15,000-$175,000, Minnesota Investment Fund, TIF, tax abatement, and Scott County Fiber Network access).

The CDA is funded through a combination of HUD federal programs, state funding (notably MN DEED), Scott County tax levies, rental income from owned properties, small program fees (such as $40 for homebuyer workshops and $75 for online Framework courses), and conduit bond issuance fees. It is authorized to issue tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds for affordable rental housing, assisted living, public infrastructure, and non-profit real estate projects. Distribution occurs through the Shakopee headquarters, a 24/7 Online Resident Portal serving PBV/HCV/Rural Development/Market Rate housing programs, multi-language workshops delivered via CLUES, NeDA, and African Development Center partnerships, and referral channels through organizations including the Community Action Partnership (CAP), FISH, and SCALE. The CDA's underlying technology is a web-based resident portal and CMS rather than proprietary AI or platform software.

The CDA was awarded a HUD High Performer designation for administrative performance, and Commissioner DeAnn Croatt received the 2024 MN NAHRO Conrad Rettmer Award for dedicated service to Scott County. Governance rests with a 5-member Board of Commissioners representing districts and an Executive Director leadership team covering Housing, Finance, Business and Community Development, and IT functions. Notable outcome metrics include 93% of households in foreclosure counseling in 2023 avoiding foreclosure, 59% of Homebuyer Program participants purchasing a home in 2022-2023, and a stated goal of enabling 50% of county residents to both live and work in Scott County by 2030.

Name

Scott County Community Development Agency

Legal name

Scott County Community Development Agency

Website

https://scottcda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Scott County Community Development Agency is a Minnesota government agency established in 1974 that provides affordable housing, rental assistance, homeownership counseling, and economic development services across all 8 cities in Scott County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Rental assistance programs
• Economic development services
• Homeownership counseling
• Government housing agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Shakopee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The CDA operates as a government agency funded through federal programs (HUD), state funding, and local tax levies to provide affordable housing and economic development services.
2. Rental Income: The CDA owns and manages rental properties across Scott County, generating rental income from affordable and market-rate housing units.
3. Program Administration Fees: Small fees associated with homeownership workshops ($40 registration) and other program services help offset administrative costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) is a government agency that administers affordable housing programs (including the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program, project-based rental assistance, senior 55+ independent living communities, and rural development properties), homeownership support services (counseling, foreclosure prevention, community land trust, and home improvement loans), and economic development programs (Center for Entrepreneurship, business accelerator, small business loans, tax increment financing, and tax abatement) for residents and businesses of Scott County, Minnesota.

Product overview

Scott County Community Development Agency (CDA) is a government agency providing a portfolio of housing and economic development programs rather than a unified software product. The housing division offers affordable rental housing through programs including the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, Project Based Assistance, Senior Housing (55+ communities), and Rural Development Properties, all accessible via an Online Resident Portal system. The homeownership division provides First-Time Homebuyer Counseling, Community Land Trust, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, and Home Improvement Loans. The economic development division operates the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) hub offering the Business Accelerator Program, NextStage for Entrepreneurs, CEO Next, and FAST-TRACK Challenge. Additional economic tools include Small Business Loans, Minnesota Investment Fund, Tax Increment Financing, Tax Abatement, Scott County Fiber Network, Land Opportunities, and Revolving Loan Programs. Community reinvestment includes Conduit Bond Financing and the Scott County Housing Trust Fund. All services are accessed through the Online Resident Portal platform with separate interfaces for different housing programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Federally-funded rental subsidy program (Section 8) assisting low-income participants with monthly rental payments. Participants pay 30% of their income toward rent. Available to qualifying Scott County residents.
• Project Based Assistance CDA-owned single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments throughout Scott County with affordable market rate or subsidized rents. Residents pay up to 30% of income toward rent.
• Senior Housing (55+ Communities) Independent living apartment communities for adults age 55+ across nine properties in Scott County. Includes amenities such as club room, salon, in-unit washer/dryer, and covered parking.
• Rural Development Properties Affordable apartment homes in rural Scott County communities at CDA-owned buildings in Jordan and Belle Plaine. Some renters pay 30% of income toward rent through Rural Development funding.
• First-Time Homebuyer Counseling HUD-certified homeownership counseling helping people create pathways to homeownership through 1:1 counseling, budgeting guidance, credit education, and grant programs for down payment or closing costs.
• Community Land Trust Affordable homeownership program where families purchase a house on land owned by the community land trust. Homeowners lease land on 99-year renewable lease and sell at restricted prices to maintain affordability.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Free, unbiased, confidential services for homeowners facing foreclosure. Certified counselors assess situations and develop action plans to help modify mortgages or stay in homes.
• Home Improvement Loan Program Zero percent interest loans for low-to-moderate income homeowners for roof replacement, furnace replacement, electrical/plumbing repairs, insulation, and special needs modifications. $15,000 minimum to $35,000 limit.
• Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) Centralized hub for entrepreneur and small business resources in Scott County. Located in Shakopee off Hwy 169 at Dean Lakes Education Center campus. Offers partnership opportunities, resources, mentoring, support programs, and networking.
• Business Accelerator Program Program supporting growth of emerging businesses in an entrepreneurial environment that encourages collaboration, fosters job creation, and provides connections to key resources. Offers virtual membership or leased space options.
• NextStage for Entrepreneurs Free one-on-one confidential business consulting for entrepreneurs in Scott County to help with growing or starting businesses. Offers tailored technical assistance based on different stages of business growth.
• CEO Next Cohort-based program supporting second-stage businesses with peer-to-peer roundtables, forums, and learning opportunities. Provides 40-50 hours with dedicated research specialists on market trends and competitors.
• FAST-TRACK Challenge Business competition where community members, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students pitch breakthrough inventions and business ideas to judges for chance to win critical resources.
• Small Business Loan Program Business loan program offering minimum $15,000 to maximum $175,000 for Scott County businesses.
• Minnesota Investment Fund State financing program helping add new workers and retain high-quality jobs. Focuses on industrial, manufacturing, and technology-related industries to increase local and state tax base.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Public financing method used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and community-improvement projects.
• Tax Abatement Temporary deferral of taxes by city, county, or combination. Proceeds can be used for public improvements, land acquisition, reimbursement for improvements, and other development costs.
• Conduit Bond Financing CDA is authorized to issue tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds offering lower debt service to borrowers. Eligible projects include affordable rental housing, assisted living, public infrastructure, and municipal projects.
• Scott County Housing Trust Fund Permanent and continually renewable funding source to meet housing needs of Moderate, Low, and Very Low Income households in Scott County.
• Revolving Loan Programs Programs available in some Scott County communities providing loans to assist with facade and building improvements.
• Online Resident Portal Web portal system for applicants and current residents to access waiting lists, submit applications, check status, report changes, complete recertification, make payments, and submit maintenance requests.
• Scott County Fiber Network Over 1,000 miles of Scott County-owned fiber connecting cities throughout the county. Provides resilient connectivity service at affordable prices for companies.
• Land Opportunities Commercial and industrial site searches and land development opportunities throughout Scott County. Properties classified as pad-ready or within growth boundaries.
• Waiting Lists Portal Online portal system for applying to open waiting lists for affordable housing opportunities including Project Based Units, Prior Manor Apartments, Rural Development Properties, HPH, and Prairie Pointe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of households who participated in foreclosure counseling in 2023 avoided foreclosure
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Action Partnership (CAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CAP Agency for housing services and community programs in Scott and Carver counties. CAP provides housing options and services to complement CDA programs.
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner providing resources for starting businesses, workforce development, and economic growth programs available to Scott County residents and businesses.
• Scott County Association for Leadership & Efficiency (SCALE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership focused on information sharing and coordinated economic development efforts across Scott County communities.
• Scott CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CDA was created by Scott County and operates in close partnership with county government, utilizing county resources and coordinating on housing and economic development initiatives.
• Twin Cities Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Community Land Trust program in Prior Lake, offering new construction townhomes for 3-4 bedroom units through joint homeownership development.
• CEO Next Partners (Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey counties + Edward Lowe Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-county cohort-based program supporting second-stage businesses with peer roundtables, learning opportunities, and research specialist support.
• NextStagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between CDA and NextStage to offer tailored technical assistance for businesses at different stages of growth in Scott County.
• Great Lakes ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProperty management company that professionally manages CDA's nine 55+ apartment communities across Scott County.
• CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency offering Spanish language First-Time Homebuyer Education Workshops in different locations throughout the year.
• NeDA (Neighborhood Development Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency offering Spanish language First-Time Homebuyer Education Workshops, complementing CDA's annual Spanish workshop.
• African Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization offering first-time homebuyer Somali language workshops on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Minnesota Housing (Minnesota Housing Finance Agency): State housing finance agency that funds and partners with local CDAs/HRAs across Minnesota; comparable in mission (affordable housing) but operates as a state-level financier rather than a local service provider.
• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): Trade association representing CDAs and HRAs nationally; relevant peer/ecosystem connection given the CDA's MN NAHRO award recognition and its membership in the broader local-housing-authority network.

Direct peers

• Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Urban/suburban Minnesota county HRA delivering Section 8, project-based, and senior housing plus economic development — comparable programmatic breadth to Scott County CDA but at larger scale.
• Dakota County Community Development Agency: Neighboring Minnesota county CDA administering Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based rental housing, senior housing, and economic development programs — virtually identical operating model to Scott County CDA in a similar suburban Twin Cities market.
• Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Suburban Minnesota county HRA providing HCV administration, affordable rental housing, and homeownership programs — closely comparable scope, structure, and regulatory framework to Scott County CDA.
• Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Twin Cities suburban county HRA administering federal housing programs, project-based units, and homeownership support — a direct operational analog serving a similarly growing suburban county.
• Carver County Community Development Agency: Twin Cities metro county CDA that operates housing assistance and economic development programs and is explicitly referenced as a joint service-area partner of Scott County CDA through the Community Action Partnership.
• Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties: Regional nonprofit providing social services, housing support, and community programs across the same geography; an explicit operational partner of Scott County CDA with overlapping client base.

Emerging players

• Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity: Affordable homeownership developer partnered with Scott County CDA on the Community Land Trust; comparable affordable-housing mission with a narrower, construction-focused operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority: Large Minnesota county HRA with a much broader portfolio of affordable housing, redevelopment, and economic development programs that overlap with Scott County CDA but operates at metropolitan scale across more sub-markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scottcountycda
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScottCountyCDA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scott-county-community-development-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/scottcountycda/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scott County Community Development Agency