2017.10.04 EDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Assets & Development Department MEMORANDUM DATE: September 28, 2017 TO: Economic Development Commission FROM: Janice Gundlach, Asst. Director of Community Assets & Development/Planning Director SUBJECT: Housing Programs Wrap Up At meetings held on April 5, 2017 and August 2, 2017, the Commission discussed a variety of topics surrounding “housing programs”. Discussion included: • Review of 2010-2011 Council work session materials regarding Council’s past interest in this topic, • Review and update of a spreadsheet regarding various housing program offerings currently available metro-wide, • Affordable housing and/or inclusionary housing ordinances that relate to housing affordability based on what households can pay for rent/mortgage based on a percentage of the area median income, and • Existing New Brighton initiatives that contribute to the health and safety of housing locally. The Commission struggled with concern of creating a solution where there isn’t a problem. Early on, various commission members expressed concern about housing affordability. At staff’s suggestion, this topic will be examined more thoroughly as the housing and redevelopment content of the Comprehensive Plan is updated throughout the New Brighton 2040 process. As discussion seemed to wrap up at the August meeting, staff noted the following areas of consensus: • There are a wide variety of housing improvement loans currently available to New Brighton residents and there is no information to suggest the City should develop new programs in an effort to serve under-serviced areas. • The City should continue to promote and market access to MHFA, CEE and Ramsey County housing loan programs. • Existing efforts City-wide regarding compliance with Nuisance, Housing, and Crime-Free Multi- Family Housing Ordinances are working to ensure housing conditions do not deteriorate and these programs should continue. • The City’s existing Business Subsidy policy, use of TIF and Tax Abatement, and participation in the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Program have, and can continue to effectively provide subsidy for redevelopment projects aimed at addressing gaps in housing needs and affordable housing locally. It is recognized these tools would likely be used through public/private partnerships.