Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 Collaboration Collaboration recognizes that shared efforts advance our region most effectively toward shared outcomes. In particular, the region's housing issues require collaboration because of the many partners in housing —ranging from residents to developers to cities to funders. Even when one entity is the primary funder or investor in a housing project, success requires the coordinated collaboration of a range of public and private entities to realize the full benefit to the region. No single entity has the capacity or the authority to do this work alone. Collaboration is essential. Provide a regional perspective on housing policy The Council is well -positioned to provide a regional perspective on the housing needs, opportunities, and challenges in the metro area. While local governments address housing based first on the needs of their citizens, the true opportunities and impacts of housing development do not stop at city boundaries. The concept that "if one of us succeeds, we all succeed" has never been more relevant as we learn from our past policy decisions and explore current and future housing needs in the context of quality of life, infrastructure investments, the availability and affordability of quality housing, and economic competitiveness. Nonetheless, how regional policies affect local communities must be understood and considered. Cities and townships have different resources, priorities, and geographic characteristics. The value of the Council's role in housing lies in providing objective regional guidance toward goals that help position the metropolitan area as a desirable place to live and work while providing the resources and technical assistance that mitigate any real or perceived negative impacts of those goals in a local context. The Council also looks broadly at the region and identifies what challenges are most universal and provide the most opportunity for impact. In a context where needs are many and resources are not, it is more important than ever to focus efforts toward the opportunities with the greatest chance of success. Council role • Convene regional and local housing stakeholders including practitioners, funders, and advocates, to refine policies and develop programs to respond to the housing needs of low- and moderate- income households throughout the region. • Participate in the Metropolitan Housing Implementation Group (MHIG), along with Minnesota Housing and other government and non-profit stakeholders that fund housing, to align priorities and investments to meet the housing needs of the metro region. • Expand and promote greater communication between "traditional" housing partners and underrepresented housing stakeholders. • Participate to share regional and Council perspectives in housing policy and finance forums such as the Metropolitan Housing Implementation Group, the Interagency Stabilization Group, and the Super RFP selections process. Expand technical assistance to and share best practices with local governments to support development of a mix of housing options The Council already provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions to support the local comprehensive planning process and the effective implementation of regional policies. This technical 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Part II: Principles (Collaboration) I Page 45