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housing projects that could include higher density housing. The Metropolitan Council will assist in the effort to build more affordable housing by administering programs and resources that encourage a more diverse housing stock and to reduce housing costs. The City participates in the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Act (LCA) and has affordable and life cycle housing goal ranges. Participation in this program enables the City to participate in the LCA grant program and some State or Minnesota financial assistance programs. The City could use funding through these programs to assist the City’s redevelopment efforts. When considering housing policies and strategies, the City must take into consideration the shifting demographics and changing needs of residents. The residential development pattern primarily consists of detached single-family homes that have been generally constructed to meet the needs of young families. The City must try to provide additional housing opportunities to address the needs of the aging population while attracting and retaining younger households. Life cycle housing policies help support the construction of rental and owner-occupied units that are affordable to low and moderate income buyers and also the move-up buyer. Such policies also support a variety of housing styles, types and densities that provide housing options for persons as they move through the different stages of life. Land Available for Development / Redevelopment As a developed city, Mounds View has limited opportunities for new housing development. The majority of the city’s housing was built in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The remaining opportunities for new housing are through the redevelopment of existing underused property such as large lot single-family residential properties. The redevelopment of these parcels can be difficult due to existing land use patterns, soil and water table constraints, storm water management requirements, access needs and neighborhood impact. Redevelopment possibilities include manufactured home parks and single-family lots adjacent to commercial and high-density residential properties. Project costs, land assembly, infrastructure needs, financing and other factors can complicate redevelopment projects. Infill/Redevelopment As noted earlier, new housing development may occur through the infill development of vacant land and the redevelopment of larger parcels. Market and other forces also are driving changes with some residents choosing to reinvest in their properties by tearing down existing structures and rebuilding on the site with a new home or significantly remodeling the existing home. Such changes can create conflicts between older neighborhoods, newer neighborhoods and property owners since the newer construction is typically of a different style and size that traditionally found in the neighborhood. It also is difficult to increase densities in infill developments thereby affecting both life cycle and affordable housing opportunities. 6