Hadorn, Sean2017-09-142017-09-142017https://hdl.handle.net/11299/190205The ability to find affordable housing for working families in rural America is growing more and more difficult. Rural communities face both economic and demographic challenges: rural populations are aging and moving into retirement. Milan, MN is at a crossroads. There is great need for rehabilitated and new single family homes. This document explores a strategies for both improving the existing housing stock and laying the foundation for future growth. Milan unexpectedly went from a declining population of about 150 residents to an immigrant destination for Micronesian workers who work in the local Jenny-O turkey plant. This grew the population to somewhere between 300-400 people. With an aging population coupled with a declining quality of housing stock, few finance options and no gap financing for new building available in such a rural community in a small county, multiple Micronesian families are cramming into decaying rental properties designed for at most a single family. This has created an unexpected housing crisis that the city is eager to address. Much work is left to be done to address the housing needs of Milan, MN. It is imperative, however, that something is done.enReport