01-08-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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HED-2 CITY ROLE IN AFFORDABLE AND LIFE CYCLE HOUSING Cities may also provide a developer with credit for investments in public infrastructure greater than would be minimally required, including water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, or road infrastructure. Metro Cities opposes any effort to reduce, alter or interfere with cities’ authority to carry out these functions in a locally determined manner. Metro Cities supports exceptions to the land use timelines in Minn. Stat. § 15.99 in the event of extenuating local and state circumstances. Metro Cities supports local authority determination when exercising the use of exceptions, recognizing projects may be in different stages of approval. If a state of emergency limits the ability of city staff to complete a land use review, it should not result in de facto approval of an application. Metro Cities supports housing that is affordable and appropriate for people at all stages of life. A variety of housing opportunities are important to the economic and social well- being of local communities and the metropolitan region. The region faces challenges in meeting the existing and future housing needs of low and moderate-income residents. Existing housing stock is aging, with over half older than 40 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Older housing stock can be more affordable; however, it requires investments to remain viable. Private investors have purchased subsidized and unsubsidized rental units, made improvements, and charged higher rents that have made access to previously affordable units prohibitive for low and moderate-income residents. This investor ownership has converted owner-occupied houses to rental houses, which has impacted the ability of lower-income renters to become homeowners and build wealth. Neighbors and cities have seen a lack of investment in these rental homes that has led to the deterioration of the housing stock. The Metropolitan Council has projected the region will add nearly 60,845 households earning up to 50 percent area median income between 2020 and 2030 that will need affordable housing. Senior households bring the number of low-income households up significantly, with the number of age 65+ households growing by 51,691 during that time- period. Cities should work with the private and nonprofit sectors, counties, state agencies and the Metropolitan Council to ensure the best use of new and existing tools and resources to produce new housing and preserve existing affordable housing. Cities can facilitate the production and preservation of affordable and life cycle housing by: •Applying for funding from available grant and loan programs; •Using city and county funds to support affordable housing. This can include creating a local or regional housing trust fund to support affordable housing; 40