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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update <br />Chapter 7: Housing Plan <br />Benefit #3: Reduced Transportation Costs <br />Transportation costs consume a large share of low-income family incomes. A study of 28 metropolitan areas <br />found that families with incomes between $20,000 and $50,000 spend an average of 40 percent of their <br />income on transportation and an average of 28 percent on housing. More broadly, poorly planned <br />development can isolate low-income people in distressed areas and make it harder to get to better schools and <br />job opportunities. <br />Benefit #4: More Active Living <br />Oftentimes, the steps for healthier communities are very simple. Smarter site planning and development <br />creates a sense of community, encouraging walking and providing access to parks and mass transit. Research <br />suggests that people who live in sprawling areas walk less, weigh more and are more likely to suffer from <br />high blood pressure. <br />Benefit #5: Wider Opportunities <br />Residents of green communities often have greater community interaction through walking access to mass <br />transit, jobs, schools and local services. Green communities also can enhance low-income families' exposure <br />to natural environments. <br />Building green policies into the Ramsey Master Housing Plan will benefit the community and establish <br />Ramsey as a proactive sustainable city. <br />City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 7-14 <br />