2018.01.29 CC Packet - Goal Setting

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FUNDING FOR AFFORDALE SENIOR HOUSING (SERVING OUR SENIORS) Position: The Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) is seeking the support of the Washington County Board to aid in lobbying the State of Minnesota for the creation of programs and policies to facilitate the construction of new affordable senior housing units. Issue: As the population of Washington County ages and as people live longer, demand for senior housing options is growing. More individuals are seeking homes that require less maintenance and facilitate the cost-effective provision of services that enable seniors to age in place safely. The number of residents over the age of 65 is growing rapidly. In just the next five years, Washington County's population ages 65 and over will grow by nearly one-third. Roughly 10,000 additional residents will fall in this age category. The population of residents between ages 55 and 64 will grow by an additional ten percent. It is estimated that the most difficult to serve will be older adult households "in the middle", those who cannot afford the high cost of private pay, market rate senior housing because they are unable to find vacant, affordable, age -restricted housing. Many choose to stay in a home that is too large and presents physical and financial burdens to maintain. Further, the practical constraints faced by private developers in terms of financing often means that our poorest residents do not get served at all absent some type of assistance or intervention from the public sector. State -level policy has become more favorable to affordable senior housing in recent years. We have seen increases in support for housing infrastructure bonds, though state allocation criteria has historically disadvantaged senior housing proposals, instead preferring a more universal housing design that is targeted at younger families. The CDA has met with leadership at Minnesota Housing to discuss this issue and has partnered with other housing agencies in the state to commission a special report (published in 2014) on the senior housing market that clearly defines the housing needs for our low-income seniors throughout the state. Support and Opposition: The broader community of agencies and non-profit groups coordinated through the Homes for All coalition has been effective in lobbying for record -level state support for affordable housing. Many of those organizations will be supportive of these efforts as well. Opposition may come from certain groups within that coalition if those groups perceive that funding for senior housing may come at the expense of funds supporting their particular niche. There may also be general opposition from those who choose to believe that the affordable housing crisis can be solved without assistance from state and local housing agencies. Minnesota Housing is also supportive of allowing affordable senior housing as an eligible use of housing infrastructure bonds, which would provide another potential source of assistance. 31