Agenda - Council - 06/28/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and supporters can beforced totry todisprove orcontextua|izenegativeaopectoof affordable housing, regardless of whether they are real or perceived. Common concerns about affordable housing Concorn: Affordable h4LISiDg lowers nearby P[4p8rt« VIRI8S. Reality: Research has found that affordable housing has no long-term negative impact on surrounding property v8|ueo.mArecent study on the relationship between affordable developments located in Dakota, Hennepin, Scott, and Washington counties and single- family home sales revealed: average sales prices rose by nearly 5%, demand remained stable, affordable developments did not make it more difficult for owners tosell, and market performance of homes near affordable development was at least as strong as that of more distant homes in 96% of cases." Conversely, properly designed and managed affordable housing can have a positive impact on surrounding property values. The design, management, and maintenance of any residential property determine whether or not it is a detriment or asset to its neighbors, regardless of the income of its inhabitants. Concorn: Affordable housing leads to higher crime rates. Reality: The relationship between crime rates and subsidized housing has been studied in many ways and in many parts of the country. It can be difficult to say exactly what impact a new affordable housing development might have on neighborhood crime. However, most available research finds no conclusive evidence that an increase in affordable housing (whether residents or units) leads to an increase in crime. For example, a study of three federally subsidized housing developments in Milwaukee and Washington [}.C.f0und no increase incrime, ineither the pr ject'oneighborhoodoradjacentneighborhoodo.The study, infact, found decreases incrime ayear after the affordable housing projects vvere constructed." Another study looked at the impact of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in 10 cities across the U.S. and found no association between the arrival of voucher holders in aneighborhood and the incidence ofcrime one year |ater2» These are just two examples of research on various types of affordable housing and crime in various cities, but they illustrate 8 c0rnrn0n conclusion: there is little evidence that affordable housing causes increased crime. While factors such as the quality of property management and the existing stability of a neighborhood prior to new affordable housing are more likely to impact crime rates, these conclusions are more qualitative. Concorn:Affordable housing does not belong here. Reality: Some communities believe that affordable housing proposals would bring "new poor" to their neighborhood. However, people paying more than 30% of their income on housing (and making less than 80% of the Area Median Income) most likely live in the area. In our region, nearly every community has such residents. Additional affordable housing of all kinds is needed everywhere, from rural centers to emerging suburban subdivisions to older suburbs and the urban center. ONE� Housing mmrmGrowing, 7hrivinqgegion