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WS — Item 4 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item Date: August 11, 2010 To: City Council From: Jeff Smyser Re: Livable Communities Program Background The Minnesota Legislature adopted the Livable Communities Act (LCA) in 1995. This law assigned the program to the Metropolitan Council and created several accounts for funding specified activities. Through the use of competitive grants as incentives, the various funds provide assistance for housing, development, and redevelopment. In order to be eligible for these funding programs, a city must participate in the Local Housing Initiatives Account Program under the LCA. Lino Lakes has participated in this program since 1995 and has benefited from four grants totaling $1,645,000. Under the law, participation includes the adoption of goals for life -cycle and affordable housing. The initial goal period ran 1996 -2010. If the City decides to continue to participate in the LCA program, it must establish new goals for the next ten years (2011- 2020). The previous and new goals are compared below. New goals are to be adopted by September 1. City staff is in discussions with Met Council staff to get a little bit of flexibility on that date. In addition to the goals, LCA participation requires a Housing Action Plan outlining the steps the City will take to help meet the goals. Much or all of the Action Plan can be taken from the housing section of the draft new comprehensive plan. If the City Council chooses to continue LCA participation, staff will prepare the Housing Action Plan, which is due December 1. LCA Grant Funds and Grants to Lino Lakes The LCA created the Metropolitan Livable Communities fund, which includes the following funding accounts. Eligibility for grants from these funds is an incentive for 1