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914.230 Units, Micro Sacred Settlements <br />A. Micro-unit dwellings within sacred settlements are intended to provide an additional means <br />for faith communities to serve chronically homeless individuals, designated volunteers, and <br />extremely low-income individuals in accordance with their religious vocations. <br />B. An individual who meets the definition of being chronically homeless is someone who is <br />unhoused and lives or resides in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in <br />an emergency shelter for at least one year, or on at least four separate occasions in the last <br />three years. <br />C. An individual who meets the definition of being extremely low income has an income that is <br />equal to or less than 30% of the area median income. <br />D. A designated volunteer is an individual who has not experienced homelessness and is <br />approved by the religious institution to live in the sacred settlement as their sole form of <br />housing. <br />E. The language defines a religious institution to include a church, synagogue, mosque, or <br />religious organization organized under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 315. <br />F. Micro units must meet certain building requirements and standards to be allowed for <br />placement in a sacred settlement on religious property. <br />G. All micro units must be built to the requirements of the American National Standards <br />Institute (ANSI) Code 119.5, which includes standards for heating, electrical, fire, and life <br />safety. <br />H. Additionally, micro units are subject to inspection for compliance with statutory standards <br />and must meet the following minimum requirements: <br />I. Be no more than 400 gross square feet. <br />J. Be built on a permanent chassis and anchored to pin foundations with engineered fasteners. <br />K. Have exterior material compatible in composition, appearance, and durability to materials <br />used in standard residential construction. <br />L. Meet minimum framing standards and insulation ratings for doors and windows and include <br />a dry, compostable, or plumbed toilet meeting Minnesota Pollution Control Agency rules. <br />M. Include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and comply with municipal setback <br />requirements if established by ordinance or be set back on all sides by at least 10 feet if no <br />ordinance exists. <br />N. Have access to water and electric utilities either by connecting the units to the principal <br />building or by providing access to permanent common kitchen facilities and common <br />facilities for toilet, bathing, and laundry consistent with boarding house requirements under <br />Minnesota Rules, part 1305.2902. <br />O. Appropriate level of insurance and have between one-third and 40% of the micro units <br />occupied by designated volunteers. <br />P. Adherence to all laws governing landlord and tenants under Minnesota Statutes <br />Chapter504B. <br />Q. A written plan provided to the city in which the settlement is approved by the religious <br />institution’s governing board that includes: