Just the Facts

Client: Clarkfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)
Units Managed: 33 Public Housing Units
Location: Clarkfield, Minnesota
Previous Software: HDS WIN + QuickBooks
Executive Director: Jessica Anderson
Kanso Representatives: Andrew Selberg, Dakota Koontz
Annual Time Reclaimed: 702 hours
Operational Value Gained: $11,812 in staff capacity
Cost Impact: $48 annual increase over WIN (14.6 hours saved per dollar)

Key Performance Improvements

Time Efficiency

Rent Entry: 15 hrs annual savings (✓ 62.5% faster)
Fee Accountant Reporting: 9 hrs annual savings (✓ 75% faster)
Resident Notices: 20 hrs annual savings (✓ 67% faster)
System Workflow: (✓ up to 75% faster)

Operational Improvements

Support: (✓ 80% self-resolved)
Remote Work: (✓ 100% improvement, 7 days in first month)

Bottom Line

Weekly Time Saved: 13.5 hrs (✓33.75% productivity gain)

The Battle Against Inefficiency

Jessica Anderson found herself running Clarkfield HRA solo. Every task---from rent entry to compliance---required juggling WIN, QuickBooks, and physical paperwork. Adding users or features to WIN would have cost considerably more, but Jessica hesitated to switch due to rumors of bugs in Kanso's early days.

"I was nervous. I'd heard things, and WIN still worked. But I also knew I was spending too much time doing things the hard way." — Jessica Anderson.

The Breaking Point

Jessica wasn't resisting change---she was drowning in double-entry, isolated processes, and outdated systems. WIN required her to leave her desktop on 24/7 for backup services to stay functional. Every task---rent entry, recerts, or sending a notice---took more steps than it should have.

"I was doing everything by myself, and I kept thinking---there's got to be an easier way." — Jessica Anderson.

Her board wanted her to explore expansion, but she didn't have the time or headspace to even consider it. The breaking point wasn't one big event---it was a buildup of inefficiencies that finally made staying put harder than moving forward.

What We Discovered Together

Through early conversations, it became clear that Jessica's biggest limitation wasn't resistance to change---it was time. She didn't want more features. She wanted fewer steps.

She wanted to:

Eliminate double entry
Spend less time on rent and recertifications
Reduce paper-based work orders and manual filing
Have peace of mind with cloud access and modern security
Gain the capacity to expand housing programs in partnership with the city

"WIN worked for me for a long time. I knew how to use it, and I could make it do what I needed---but it was starting to slow me down. I kept thinking, 'There's got to be an easier way.'" — Jessica Anderson.

Initially, Jessica was exploring whether to upgrade her existing WIN system by adding mobile inspections and multi-user access. As she weighed her options, she began comparing that route with moving to Kanso's cloud-based platform.

Upgrading WIN to support both mobile inspections and multi-user access would have cost over $3,400 upfront, plus $399 more per year. For Jessica, switching to Kanso delivered all of those capabilities—and more—for just $48 more than she was already paying annually. The choice became clear.

The Solution: Kanso Makes the Switch Easy

Jessica chose to upgrade to Kanso instead of expanding WIN. Though unsure what the conversion process would entail, she was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity.

"I didn't have to do anything besides give them my access code. Everything was transferred over. I just logged in and it was done." — Jessica Anderson.

Just days after go-live, Jessica was out sick for nearly two weeks---but she was able to keep everything running remotely.

"I did letters, entered rent, even processed recerts remotely. The only reason I went into the office was to double-check things in WIN---just for peace of mind. If I hadn't been cross-checking, I could've done the whole job from home." — Jessica Anderson.

The system's intuitive design and built-in help resources made the transition almost suspiciously effortless.

"I'm nervous because it's so easy. I keep thinking I'm forgetting something. Whether it's in person or just clicking a tab, I can find what I need. I've already told other people how smooth it's been." — Jessica Anderson.

What Life Is Like After: 13.5 Hours Saved Weekly

"With Kanso, I gained back 13.5 hours every week—nearly a third of my time—to reinvest into higher-value work." — Jessica Anderson.

How That Changed Her Organization

Jessica's reclaimed time has unlocked new possibilities:

Strategic Growth: Her board has asked her to explore taking over more city-owned properties—a move that would generate new revenue streams and expand its impact
Improved Resident Service: With less time spent on paperwork, Jessica can respond more quickly to resident needs
Technology Innovation: She's planning to implement work orders on their iPad, with an estimated 20-24 more hours/month in future savings
Capacity Expansion: Without adding staff, Clarkfield HRA has effectively increased its operational capacity by one-third

"We're already in talks with the city about managing more units. With Kanso, I finally have the capacity." — Jessica Anderson.

Key Takeaways

Small housing authorities can dramatically increase capacity without adding staff
Cloud-based systems eliminate technical headaches and enable remote work
Modern software pays for itself through time savings and new opportunities
The right technology partner makes the transition easier than expected

Final Thoughts: What Would You Say to Another Executive Director?

"If you're still on WIN, that was me. I was nervous too. But the transition was super smooth, support has been phenomenal, and I'm saving more time than I ever expected. I've already told other directors---it's worth it." — Jessica Anderson.

Conclusion: Strategic Transformation

Clarkfield HRA didn't just upgrade software. It gained clarity, efficiency, and the ability to grow. For just $48 more per year, Jessica Anderson gained back 13.5 hours every week---nearly a third of her time---to reinvest into higher-value work, strategic planning, and expanding services.

Jessica now has the capacity to explore new partnerships, manage more properties, and move her agency forward---without burning out.

Kanso helped her stop managing systems and start managing progress, transforming administrative time into strategic capacity.

Clarkfield HRA: Saving Time, Unlocking Growth