2019.01.23 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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Housing & Economic Development Policies 3-A to 3-J: Introduction While the provision of housing is predominantly a private sector, market -driven activity, all levels of government — federal, state, regional and local — have a role to play in facilitating the production and preservation of affordable housing in Minnesota. Adequate affordable housing is a significant concern for the metropolitan region and effective approaches require participation from all levels of government, the private sector and nonprofit groups. 3-A City Role in Housing All cities facilitate the development of housing via land use planning, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations and rental licensing. Cities should have sufficient authority and flexibility to promote housing types best suited to meet local needs, public purposes and goals. While local government financial resources constitute a relatively small portion of the total costs of providing housing, many cities take on a significant administrative burden by providing financial incentives and regulatory relief, participating in state and regional housing programs and supporting either local or countywide housing and redevelopment authorities and community development agencies. Cities are responsible for most of the ground -level housing policy in Minnesota; including land use planning, code enforcement, rental licensing, and often the packaging of financial incentives. Cities are also responsible for ensuring the health and safety of residents and the structural soundness and livability of the local housing stock through building permits and inspections. Cities establish fee structures for residential development to cover the costs of growth and corresponding needs for public infrastructure. It is the responsibility of cities to periodically review local requirements such as land use regulations and ordinances to ensure that they are consistent with these purposes. Metro Cities strongly opposes any effort to reduce, alter or interfere with cities' authority to carry out these functions in a locally determined manner. 3-13 City Role in Affordable and Life Cycle Housing 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 individual communities and the 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 roughly half older than 40 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Older housing 2019 Legislative Policies 19