Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/11/2013

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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 7: Housing Plan In addition, according to labor shed data prepared by Excensus, in the second quarter of 2001 there were 4,100 jobs in Ramsey and 19% (784) of those jobs were held by Ramsey residents with an average annual salary of $36,750. Of those 784 jobs held by Ramsey residents 15% earned less than $12,000 per year. These jobs are most likely part time and retail sector positions. Conversely, 52% of the jobs held by Ramsey residents pay more than $35,000 annually. It is projected that Ramsey job growth will exceed over 10,000 jobs in the next 20-25 years. If 20% of those jobs are held by Ramsey residents there will be approximately 2,000 jobs held by people who live in the community. Many of those job holders will attract new residents who will look for a variety of housing choices. Housing Sustainability/Green Community Components Housing conditions are an important factor that influences a community's health and well being. Green design and building practices can create healthier home and community environments through better indoor air quality, healthier building materials and the overall reduction of green house gases and the reduction of water and energy resources. In addition, green affordable homes are becoming an increasingly vital part of the new "sustainable city". Developing cities like Ramsey have an opportunity to provide housing policy and dedicate resources to become a green community through housing sustainability. While researchers remain cautious, many public health professionals, and a growing number of affordable housing developers believe sufficient evidence exists to justify adoption of basic "healthy homes" practices to keep homes dry, clean, well ventilated. The following are benefits of green building practices, as outlined by the national Green Communities group (httn://www.areencommunitiesonline.ora/). Benefit #1: Healthier Indoor Environments Building practices and materials that minimize moisture, provide proper ventilation, prevent pest infestation and avoid chemical and biological contaminants, protect parents and children against asthma, toxic poisoning, cancer and many other conditions caused or affected by housing construction. Benefit #2: Energy Savings High utility costs often impose a substantial financial hardship on low-income households, forcing many to make tradeoffs between heat or electricity and other basic necessities. A recent national study documented the brutal choices that poor families make when faced with unaffordable home energy bills. The study found that during the prior five years, due to their energy bills: • 57 percent of non -elderly owners and 36 percent of non -elderly renters went without medical or dental care; • 25 percent made a partial payment or missed a whole rent or mortgage payment; and • 20 percent went without food for at least one day. In addition, energy costs have increased much faster than incomes for low-income households in recent years. Today a family earning minimum wage pays more than four times as much a share of their income for energy as a median income household. City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 7-13