Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 • Work with our partners and stakeholders to identify indicators used to measure how projects, supported with Council resources, advance equity, including providing opportunities to residents of Areas of Concentrated Poverty and Racially Concentrated Areas of Poverty, lower -income households, or people with disabilities. • Encourage private market interest in these targeted areas through transit investments, education and marketing support to local communities. Local role • Prioritize income -diverse neighborhoods in planning efforts, including comprehensive planning. • Expand or continue efforts to mitigate Areas of Concentrated Poverty and Racially Concentrated Areas of Poverty with crime reduction efforts, investment incentives, and place -making initiatives. • Provide or provide financial support to counseling programs that support first-time homebuyers and homeowners at risk of foreclosure to create and sustain successful homeownership and wealth -building, particularly among lower -income households and households of color. Expand the supply of housing options accessible to people with disabilities As our population ages, the availability of quality, accessible housing options for people with disabilities will be increasingly important. Housing affordability is particularly important issue for people with disabilities as nearly half of households with disabilities in the region experience housing cost burden, compared to less than one-third of household without disabilities.16 The challenges of securing housing are even more difficult for people with disabilities who are unable to work and who depend on Supplemental Security Income (using the standard that a household shouldn't pay more than 30% of income on housing, a single, person with disabilities who is unable to work could contribute only $213 toward their housing based on the monthly maximum Supplemental Security Income payment of $710).17 The difficulties in housing this population are confirmed by the high proportion of homeless adults that suffer from disability. According to a 2012 study on homelessness in Minnesota, 55% reported having a serious mental illness, and 51% a chronic health concern. The 1996 Olmstead Decision ruled that people with disabilities are best served alongside everyone else and must be integrated in the community as much as possible. As part of recommitting to enforce the Olmstead Decision, the State of Minnesota published the 2013 Minnesota Olmstead Plan. The plan proposes strategies for improvements for people with disabilities in the workplace, schools, transportation, and other areas. In housing, the plan identifies the following recommendations to be undertaken by Minnesota Housing and the Minnesota Department of Human Services: • Identify people with disabilities who desire to move to more integrated housing, the barriers involved, and the resources needed to increase the use of effective best practices • Increase the amount of affordable housing opportunities created • Increase housing options that promote choice and access to integrated settings 16 2008-2012 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample data. 17 Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 2013. Putting the Promise of Olmstead into Practice: Minnesota's 2013 Olmstead Plan. p. 38. 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Part II: Outcomes (Equity) I Page 31