NEWS RELEASE
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Tuesday, December 18, 2001
Mayor-Elect Rybak Announces 90-Day Housing Strategy
Mayor-Elect R.T. Rybak announced today his 90-day plan to address the affordable housing shortage in Minneapolis.
"We want to have an immediate impact on this critical problem," Rybak said. "We�re recommending regulatory changes that have stimulated development in other cities, like smart codes for renovated buildings and zoning incentives that reduce the costs of development without requiring additional public investment."
The Transition Team�s Affordable Housing Work Group, chaired by David Fey, has been working with Rybak on this plan. The plan includes regulatory reforms that can be accomplished without a major restructuring of the planning and development departments of the city, and without immediate increases in public funding. It recommends the immediate release of $4 million in Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funding that was set aside for affordable housing projects in 2001. It recommends a specific allocation of NRP funding for 2002 only after the city council adopts clear, citywide development priorities and begins the process of restructuring the planning and development functions of the City, including the NRP.
Rybak said, "It�s clear that public support for the HRA property tax levy is tied to significant reform of the city�s development agenda and organizational structure. We will not allocate these funds until we achieve reform."
To get community input on affordable housing, Rybak will host a Housing Summit on the morning of Saturday, January 5th.
"We can�t do this important work in a vacuum," says Work Group chair David Fey. "Our success will depend on how effectively we engage the entire community in working together to address the affordable housing crisis. The summit is about opening the door and inviting the community to own and shape it as we move forward."
The Affordable Housing Work Group will present the 90-day plan in a community-wide forum for discussion and feedback on the morning of Saturday, January 4. The Summit will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Christ the King Catholic Church, at 5029 Zenith Ave. S. and is free and open to the public
The members of Rybak�s Affordable Housing Work Group are Russ Adams, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability; Alan Arthur, Central Community Housing Trust; Jerry Boardman, Minneapolis Community Development Agency; Dorothy Bridges, Franklin National Bank; David Fey, Seward Redesign (chair); Tom Fulton, Family Housing Fund of the Twin Cities; Tom Leighton, Minneapolis Planning Department; Gene Martinez, Arc Hennepin County; Anne Mavity, Corporation for Supportive Housing; Gretchen Nicholls, Center for Neighborhoods; Stephen Seidel, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity; Sam St. Pierre, Minnesota Multi-Housing Association; Tom Streitz, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority; Cathy ten Broeke, Hennepin County; Neva Walker, Minnesota House of Representatives; and Paul Williams, Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
A summary of Mayor-Elect Rybak�s 90-day strategy for affordable housing is attached for reference.
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90-Day Affordable Housing Strategies
Affordable Housing Work Group of the Rybak Transition Team
December 18, 2001
A. Regulatory Reform
(in partnership with other jurisdictions)
During the first 90-days, the Rybak administration will focus on a set of regulatory reforms that can increase the supply of affordable housing in Minneapolis without major organizational reform or significant new appropriations. The goal will be to bring recommendations on these reforms to the City Council for review by March 31.
1. Get existing affordable units back onto the market. Rezone to permit existing and potential multi-unit occupancies (City). Reduce fees for development of affordable properties (City). Revise building codes to reduce costs of rehabilitation (City/State). Streamline tax forfeiture process to accelerate purchase and rehab (City/County).
2. Monitor and facilitate preservation of vulnerable properties. Develop comprehensive housing preservation program (City). Expand and integrate successful preservation programs: i.e. mortgage foreclosure prevention, early warning, Project 504/tenant remedy act (City). Improve monitoring of affordable housing inventory (Cities/Metropolitan Council/State).
3. Provide incentives and opportunities for housing development. Streamline City development approval and funding processes (City). Rezone to permit multi-unit development where appropriate (City). Reduce land cost to developers through "density bonuses" (City/State). Revise tax code so affordable properties are not overtaxed (City/County/State).
4. Partner with other jurisdictions on joint legislative agenda. Partner with Mayor-elect Kelly of St. Paul on legislative agenda (Cities/State). Collaborate with Minnesota Housing Partnership and the Minneapolis delegation on legislative agenda for 2002 (City/State). Participate on Mayor�s Affordable Housing Task Force (Cities/Metropolitan Council).
B. Organizational Reform
During the first 90 days, the administration will focus on establishing development priorities and operating principles to guide reform of the planning and development functions of the City, and the allocation of public resources. The goal will be to bring preliminary recommendations to the Council for action by March 31.
1. Establish clear, citywide development priorities, criteria, and approval process.
2. Restructure the MCDA, planning, zoning, and the NRP to align all planning, development and public funding with citywide development priorities.
3. Promote inclusive involvement in neighborhood-level and citywide planning.
C. Development Finance (in partnership with other jurisdictions)
During the first 90-days, the administration will focus on directing available funds to projects that have already been submitted for consideration. Revenue generated by the HRA tax levy and other new sources will only be allocated following adoption of the citywide priorities and organizational reform recommendations referred to above.
1. Release $4 million in 2001 NRP funds reserved for affordable housing. Review proposals that were submitted for the use of these funds, which have already received neighborhood approvals, and award funds by March 31 (Joint Powers).
2. Establish a housing trust fund dedicated to affordable housing preservation and production. Study revenue sources, public and private partners, and structure. Present preliminary recommendations to the Council by March 31 (City/Others).
3. Consider borrowing against Minneapolis Public Housing Authority assets to acquire rental property and make units available to Section 8 certificate holders. Develop proposal and impact goals for Council review by March 31 (City).
4. Incorporate funding strategies into joint legislative agenda discussed above (All).
D. Civic Engagement & Advocacy
During the first 90 days, the Rybak administration will focus on engaging the wider community in a discussion of citywide affordable housing priorities and strategies. Each of the strategies outlined above will be discussed at a variety of public forums prior to deliberation and action by the City Council.
1. Convene a citywide Housing Summit on Saturday, January 5, as part of the inaugural celebration. Present the 90-day strategies of the Affordable Housing Work Group for feedback and discussion, and gather community input that can guide the further development and implementation of these strategies.
2. Raise public awareness of and commitment to addressing affordable housing needs through a systematic image-building and organizing campaign. Partner with HousingMinnesota to expand the reach and effectiveness of this statewide campaign. Announce the outline of City partnership with HousingMinnesota and initial program of coordinated education and outreach activities by March 31.
3. Identify private partners to support education and outreach activities. Work with the organizers of the HousingMinnesota campaign and others to attract private support. Announce initial commitments and partnerships by March 31.
4. Develop a comprehensive media relations and communications plan for the City that highlights affordable housing goals and progress toward meeting them. Use regular newsletters, broadcast email, and the City of Minneapolis web site to make information available to diverse audiences in the form most convenient for them. Announce outline of media relations and communication plan by March 31.
Posted by Laura Sether, Standish-Ericsson
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