Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 defined Metro HRA service area made available by a participating property owner. Although demand always exceeds supply, the Metro HRA works with landlords and program participants to make service effective and efficient and optimize the number of households it serves. Consistently ranked by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as among the highest of its peers, the Metro HRA also delivers several other programs that support regional households in need, including programs for people with disabilities, such as the state -funded Bridges program. This Housing Policy Plan provides an integrated policy framework that unifies the Council's existing roles in housing and opportunities for the Council to play an expanded role to support housing in the region. These roles include: • Reviewing local comprehensive plans for the housing element, the housing implementation program, and minimum or maximum residential densities; • Funding housing development through the Livable Communities Act programs; • Working with local governments to define their share of the metropolitan area need for low- and moderate -income housing; • Administering the state's largest Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and providing rental assistance to more than 6,500 low-income households throughout Anoka, Carver and most of suburban Hennepin and Ramsey Counties; • Providing technical assistance to local governments to support orderly and economical development; • Identifying opportunities to integrate housing effectively with the Council's work in regional parks, transportation, and water resources; and • Collaborating with and convening partners and stakeholders to elevate and expand the regional housing dialogue. Adequately housing a region's population requires ongoing coordination among public and private plans, investments and decisions. This plan outlines regional goals and aspirations to better align infrastructure investments, funder and investor priorities, and local planning. This document has five primary sections: • Part I introduces the Plan and outlines the demographic and socioeconomic challenges defining the region's housing future. • Part II outlines Council and suggested local roles to use housing to advance the five Thrive outcomes —stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability, and sustainability—within the framework of the three Thrive principles —integration, collaboration, and accountability. • Part III delves more deeply into the core Council housing policies and functions. • Part IV describes several opportunities for impact, that is, housing issues that are broader and more complex than the Council can advance alone. • Part V identifies key issues for the Council in implementing this Plan, including the indicators that the Council will use to monitor its success. 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Part I: Introduction I Page 15