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GG-8 RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS <br />Metro Cities supports the use of city administrative fines, at a minimum, for regulatory <br />matters that are not duplicative of misdemeanor or higher-level state traffic and criminal <br />offenses. Metro Cities also endorses a fair hearing process before a disinterested third <br />party. <br />Sufficient funding and oversight is needed to ensure that residents living in residential <br />programs have appropriate care and supervision and that neighborhoods are not <br />disproportionately impacted by high concentrations of residential programs. Historically, <br />federal and state laws have discouraged the concentration of residential group homes <br />so as not to promote areas that reinforce institutional quality settings. <br />Under current law, operators of certain residential programs are not required to notify <br />cities when they intend to purchase single-family housing for this purpose. Cities do not <br />have the authority to regulate the locations of residential programs. Cities have <br />reasonable concerns about high concentrations of these facilities in residential <br />neighborhoods, and additional traffic and service deliveries surrounding these facilities <br />when they are grouped closely together. Municipalities recognize and support the <br />services residential programs provide. However, cities also have an interest in <br />preserving balance between residential programs and other uses in residential <br />neighborhoods. <br />Providers applying to operate residential programs should be required to notify the city <br />when applying for licensure to be informed of local ordinance requirements as a part of <br />the application process. Licensing agencies should be required to notify the city of <br />properties receiving licensure to be operated as residential programs. <br />Metro Cities supports changes to Minn. Stat. § 245A.11, subd. 4, to allow for <br />appropriate non-concentration standards for all types of cities to prevent clustering. <br />Metro Cities supports statutory modifications to require licensed agencies and licensed <br />providers that operate residential programs to notify the city of properties being <br />operated as residential programs. Metro Cities also supports the establishment of <br />appropriate non-concentration standards for residential programs, to prevent clustering, <br />and supports enforcement of these rules by the appropriate county agencies. <br />Metro Cities opposes legislation enacted in 2024 that exempts group homes and <br />assisted living facilities with licensed capacities of six or fewer individuals from local <br />rental licensing regulations. Local communities are best positioned to determine <br />whether residential group homes should be included in a rental housing inspection <br />program. Residents in group homes can be especially vulnerable to experiencing <br />unsafe living conditions. Local inspections ensure that housing meets minimum <br />standards and requirements for safety and livability. In addition to any state oversight, <br />local inspections also ensure that any housing conditions needing attention can be <br />addressed promptly. Metro Cities will continue to monitor the new law and urges the <br />Legislature to consider its repeal. <br />17