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HousingDRAFT 4-50 <br />continue to implement a street reconstruction program throughout the community <br />and consider the same efforts for sidewalk reconstruction where sidewalks are in <br />place. <br />Housing Committee <br />Citizen involvement is always an integral part of determining the needs of the <br />community when it comes to housing and community development in general. A <br />citizen based organization or “housing committee” should be established to provide <br />a forum for discussing housing issues and providing alternative solutions to housing <br />problems in the community of New Brighton. This group should be a formal group that <br />is staffed by the City and works in partnership with other city advisory boards, the <br />City Council and with other regional housing committees or agencies both for profit <br />and non-profit. The principle role of the housing committee may be to advise the City <br />Council on housing needs. <br />First Time Home Buyer Programs <br />The city is a participant in the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) first time <br />home buyer programs which offer low interest loans to qualifying first time home <br />buyers. The city should continue to partner with the MHFA and local lenders to <br />provide this resource. New Brighton residents are also eligible to apply for first time <br />homebuyer program through the Ramsey County HRA. <br />Housing Subsidy Programs <br />The city has nearly 200 section 8 participants and continually encourages use of this <br />program in rental housing units. The city should encourage landlords to be cognizant <br />of local, regional and federal legislation dealing with the restructuring of the section 8 <br />program. <br />State legislation has created programs to ensure affordable housing by providing <br />tax breaks to apartment owners who ensure a percentage of its rental units remain <br />affordable. Many of these legislative efforts also encourage renovation and remodeling <br />to ensure a higher quality of affordable housing. Title II Tax Classification (4D) is one <br />such legislative effort that the City of New Brighton should consider utilizing as a <br />means to preserve affordable rental housing. <br />Housing Fair/Marketing <br />The city participates in the North Metro Home and Garden Fair with the cities of <br />Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View. The fair provides a venue for residents to explore <br />home and/or garden improvements. This has been one way for the City to provide <br />resources to its residents with regard to their housing needs. <br />The City of New Brighton, through the Ramsey County HRA, also participates in the <br />metro area Fair Housing Implementation Council. <br />Participation in and creation of local housing coalitions and organizations: Local housing <br />coalitions, groups and organizations play an important role in providing a forum for <br />discussion of housing issues, needs and concerns. They also are a more powerful source <br />for lobbying at the state legislature level for changes in state laws. These organizations <br />are a way to put ownership back into the hands of the citizens and the community. The <br />city has worked with and participates in many of these organizations already including: <br />Habitat for Humanity, Ramsey County HRA and others. <br />The city should continue working with its multi-family housing organization consisting <br />of landlords and property managers to address problems and issues in the rental <br />community.