11/27/1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 23, 1995 missed opportunities because there was no HRA. Regardless of how many cities participate in the County HRA, the County will establish a HRA so that the County will no longer miss any opportunities. Commissioner Langfeld noted that the senior population is growing tremendously. Every community is being asked by its citizens to do something about senior housing. She complimented Lino Lakes for work in providing some senior housing. Commissioner Langfeld explained that it would be beneficial for several cities to cooperatively prepare a proposal for senior housing. Such a proposal would be well received by the Metropolitan Council. Commissioner Langfeld felt that there will be more benefits in the future. At this time the entire project is vague. Mayor Reinert noted that if the City of Lino Lakes decides to form its own HRA, it could be abolished in the future if a HRA district is formed. He felt that it is best for Lino Lakes to form its own HRA and then watch what happens in the future. Commissioner Langfeld noted that the City Council will be making this same decision annually. Mr. Yantos, Deputy County Administrator and the acting HRA Director displayed a map showing areas of blighted housing in the County. He noted that there are about 13,000 housing units in Anoka County in need of rehab. There about 368 owner/occupied units and approximately 15 rental units in need of rehab in Lino Lakes. Senior housing is also an area that the County HRA is addressing. Mr. Yantos explained that the senior population will increase greatly in the next 10 years. Adequate housing for this portion of the population will be a great concern. He explained that programs have been created to determine the need in each city and then the County will use the dollars levied from each community to offset the needs. Mr. Yantos felt another benefit of a county HRA is staffing that will meet the needs of each community. Council Member Bergeson asked how it can be determined if a house has not been taken care of because the owner could not afford to or if the house has not been kept up because the owner has simply made a decision to not keep the property up to standard. Mr. Yantos said that this is a difficult situation and would require that each situation be individually evaluated. There are some guidelines that can be used to evaluate each situation. Ms. Kim Sullivan explained that when Metropolitan Council met with the Growth Group (20/20 Vision) earlier this year, they did indicate that Lino Lakes is an appropriate place for rehab housing versus building new affordable housing. She felt that the Metropolitan Council would support the Anoka County HRA proposals. Ms. Sullivan said she would support a Lino Lakes HRA because she felt that the City can control better what happens within our own community. She also suggested that a HRA be formed separate from the Lino Lakes Economic Development Authority because it would bring a different and broader viewpoint into some of the housing issues. PAGE 9