September 11, 2026

On September 11, MHP as well as city and county leaders representing Swift County met with staff from Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach’s office at Diamond Village, an affordable 24-unit rental property that is home to families and people with disabilities, to highlight local efforts to preserve these homes and similar properties across western Minnesota.

Diamond Village is one of 153 rental properties in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District financed by the USDA Section 515 program, providing a total of 3,071 affordable rental homes. Across Minnesota, USDA-financed rental properties provide 8,804 affordable homes in rural communities. Just six years ago, that number was over 9,500 – a loss of 715 affordable rental homes due to maturing mortgages and program exits.

The Swift County HRA-EDA is working with the owner of Diamond Village to acquire the property, assume the existing mortgage, and complete needed property improvements while preserving the homes for residents. Maintaining Diamond Village as an affordable property is a priority for Appleton and Swift County.

MHP has partnered with Swift County HRA-EDA’s to preserve affordability at this USDA Section 515 property. The effort comes as implementation begins on the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, enacted in July. The law includes reforms intended to strengthen and preserve rural rental housing, including USDA Section 515 properties like Diamond Village.