Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2014

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household income, and an aging population. Recent years have seen a surge in the demand for multi -family housing, particularly in the central cities, fueled by demographic changes, challenges presented by the foreclosure crisis, and market interest in areas well -served by transit and amenities. Housing is not only an important issue for individuals and families, but it matters to businesses as well; a range of housing options with convenient access to jobs helps attract and to retain workers in the region. Housing in close proximity to job opportunities can not only reduce or improve commute times, but also serve to reduce carbon emissions because of shorter travel distances. It can also offer travel choices other than the car to get to work. One of the most pressing ongoing challenges the region faces, however, is racial concentrations of poverty in the region's urban areas. In these areas, a history of racial segregation, private disinvestment, and limited access to quality educational and employment opportunities work against livability and prosperity for many families. The region needs a trained, productive workforce in order for the region to remain economically competitive, including workers of all income levels and backgrounds, which in turn demands a variety of housing options to suit their family, earnings cycle, and life -stage needs. Opportunities to address housing needs are not limited to new development and redevelopment. Maintenance and preservation of existing housing stock addresses many local housing needs and can offer housing choices closer to many job locations. Selective infill, historic preservation, live/work units, appropriately designed accessory dwellings, and adaptive reuse can also play a potential role in protecting and expanding the region's housing stock. Because housing affordability and diversification is strongly connected to the ability of to increase residential density, and to the availability of an array of services, unsewered areas of the region where increased density is discouraged and services are unavailable are inappropriate places for the development of new affordable housing. Because housing and residential land use patterns are durable, often lasting generations, creation of new housing through new construction, redevelopment and other strategies offers the opportunity not only to address market demands and unmet residential needs, but also to improve development patterns, generate and reinforce critical linkages between housing and services, provide opportunity to traditionally underserved populations, increase economic and social integration, and boost connectivity for walking and bicycling. As further detailed in the 2040 Housing Policy Plan, communities should plan for a range of housing types to meet the needs of residents at varying income levels and life stages. Council Role • Provide guidance to communities regarding their share of the regional affordable housing need in order to implement the Metropolitan Land Planning Act (MLPA). • Negotiate lifecycle and affordable housing goals with communities that participate in the Livable Communities Act (LCA). • Provide guidance and technical assistance to communities to establish, encourage, expand, and preserve affordable housing options and expand local knowledge of and access to funding assistance for housing, whether public, private, or philanthropic. DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Last revised: February 21, 2014 73