Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/04/2014

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Last revised July 24, 2014 and extremely low-income adults with disabilities. The program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing opportunities which provide access to appropriate supportive services. Section 811 provides direct capital assistance and operating or rental assistance to finance housing designed for occupancy by persons with disabilities who have income not exceeding 50% of Area Median Income. The program is limited to housing owned by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or by limited partnerships where the sole general partner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) The Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) is a one-time fee imposed by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) division to local communities for each new connection made to the central sewer system or in response to an increase in capacity demand of the Metropolitan Disposal System. Any of the 106 metro communities subject to SAC may pass the SAC fee along to building or property owners, but remain liable regardless for the payment made to MCES. The SAC fee is assessed on a per unit basis, and is usually assigned when a building permit is issued -- either for a new building or issuance of a remodeling permit, or when a connection permit is issued for an existing building connecting to the sanitary sewer system for the first time (as might happen through sewer expansion). One SAC unit equals 274 gallons of maximum potential daily wastewater flow capacity. For context, a freestanding, single-family residence is charged one SAC unit, also called a base unit, which for 2014 was $2,485. Other types of buildings, including multifamily residential, pay a prorated SAC fee based on the estimated potential capacity of wastewater they may need. Single Family Housing A dwelling unit, either attached or detached, designed for use by one Household and with direct access to a street. It does not share heating facilities or other essential building facilities with any other dwelling. In many funding programs, properties with up to four units (including duplexes, triplexes, and quads) are treating as single family housing. Steering A term used to describe the illegal practice of real estate agents only showing certain ethnic groups located in specific ethnic areas. Subsidized Housing Most housing — affordable or otherwise — is provided by the private market place. That is, developers, homebuilders or landlords compete to sell or rent units to potential home buyers or tenants. Some households, however — particularly lower -income households — are at a great disadvantage when it comes to renting or buying market -rate homes. They may have to pay excessive portions of their income, crowd in with other families to pool resources, or live in substandard conditions. That is why various government programs have been created to help people obtain decent, affordable homes. Subsidized housing is housing that is made available at below -market rates through the use of government subsidies. Unlike other government support programs, such as food stamps or Medicaid, housing subsidies are not an entitlement and are generally in short supply. Many communities have long waiting lists for housing assistance. Housing supported by public investment for people on lower incomes in which rent or mortgage costs do not exceed a specific percentage, usually 30%, of the gross annual household income. Tax Abatement Reduction of or exemption from tax granted by government for a specified period, usually to encourage investment activities. 2040 HOUSING POLICY PLAN I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DRAFT RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Appendices 1 Page 97