Mr.. Lilligren
wrote:
Using this plan to place future supportive housing facilities in non-saturated communities and at least 1/4 mile apart is a way of enforcing the spacing ordinance for supportive housing. Also, it is a way to more evenly distribute increases in the density of housing that is necessary to make our city stronger by placing multi-unit developments in non-traditional communities (the lagging population growth in Wards like 11, 12 and 13 are going to make Minneapolis' redistricting much more challenging). This will mean changing the way we do housing development. It will take more flexibility in our zoning codes, licensing, and regulatory procedures, but I think we will be moving toward a more vibrant, diverse and healthy city. It will take a committed, strong and farseeing city council and mayor to accomplish this.
Yours,
Robert Lilligren
Ward 8
Phillips West
Using this plan to place future supportive housing facilities in non-saturated communities and at least 1/4 mile apart is a way of enforcing the spacing ordinance for supportive housing. Also, it is a way to more evenly distribute increases in the density of housing that is necessary to make our city stronger by placing multi-unit developments in non-traditional communities (the lagging population growth in Wards like 11, 12 and 13 are going to make Minneapolis' redistricting much more challenging). This will mean changing the way we do housing development. It will take more flexibility in our zoning codes, licensing, and regulatory procedures, but I think we will be moving toward a more vibrant, diverse and healthy city. It will take a committed, strong and farseeing city council and mayor to accomplish this.
Yours,
Robert Lilligren
Ward 8
Phillips West
John Cevette:Bravo to Mr.. Lilligren. It will take a strong and farseeing city council and mayor to place supportive housing more evenly throughout the city. Among those they will have to tame are the powerful housing non-profits like Brighton Development, Central Community Housing Trust and the Family Housing Trust Fund.All of them build incredibly expensive 'affordable' housing with taxpayer dollars and they do it where their return on time invested for fees is the most lucrative. This means poor and weak neighborhoods like Stevens Square, Whittier and Phillips where there is little resistance to additional supportive housing placement even to the point of hyper-concentration.I say "time" investment because these groups compete directly with private developers, however unlike them they invest none of their own money--it's all public or foundation money--and if there are problems then they get bailed out. For example, Lydia House: $5.2 million for 40 units, 360 square feet each for $135,000 or $375 per foot. Plymouth Foundation's investment: $0. Plymouth's take in development fees: $500,000. Lawsuit by neighbors? No problem. The Family Housing Trust Fund steps to pay the bill for the best legal services money can buy.No one knows the total price tag for all this affordable housing, but estimates run as high as $300 million, with $100 million directly from the city in its own--or federal--funds Their development fees are hefty; Arthur's company take in fees was $870,000 in one year according to Corporate Report Magazine. I am sure I can't count high enough to track Brighton's fee income..Arthur is quoted, "I am totally opposed to people using real estate as an investment tool." Of course he is. Developers fees are far more lucrative. These non-profits make money the old fashion way. They steal it. They steal the opportunity from private developers who are willing to risk their own capital, and they steal from the public with affordable housing that is more expensive to build than luxury condos.Unfortunately with all this money, comes power and political clout. Tamper with the way they do business, they close ranks immediately, develop a smokescreen of compassionate arguments to deflect criticism, and come out swinging with all their resources. And they have resources.So for sure you'll need--as you said--a "committed, strong and farseeing city council and mayor to accomplish this." And when you do succeed, the people of the neighborhoods and the people who need supportive services will be forever in your debt.John CevetteWhittier
