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The Council can also play a significant role in sharing best practices developed by others. <br />One example is the Minnesota Housing Policy Toolbox. Another iothe award -winning <br />initiative of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and the Housing Preservation <br />Project, which identifies opportunities for cost savings and local means for lowering total <br />development costs. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the Council will look for practical <br />opportunities to direct local governments to and supplement these types of offerings. Topics <br />that may be ofparticular interest include: <br />* Accessory dwelling units <br />* Cost-effective affordable housing preservation <br />* Preservation ofunauboidizedaffordable housing <br />* Access to unouboidized affordable housing for low-income households <br />* Mixed -income development and neighborhoods <br />p Advancing equity in housing <br />* Flexible, resilient, and culturally sensitive design <br />p Community engagement <br />* P|acernakingand housing <br />* Sustainable practices in housing design, rehabilitation, and construction <br />Council staff will continue to serve as a resource to communities seeking research and best <br />practices onhousing strategies, tools, and opportunities. <br />Additional technical assistance can <br />b8provided beyond planning and <br />information sharing. Cities have widely <br />varying levels of sophistication around <br />development. |nanenvironment <br />where development deals are difficult <br />for even the most experienced city <br />otaff, many arna||er communities are <br />at a disadvantage when it comes to <br />encouraging the construction of new <br />housing. Council staff is positioned <br />to assist interested communities in <br />identifying key housing sites, districts, or <br />areas in their community. <br />Council staff can also provide support <br />to evaluate strategies for site control <br />(including acquisition, assembly, <br />and funding S0u':*s),connect with the development community, and market housing <br />opportunities. The Council sees an opportunity to provide technical assistance to support <br />communities that desire to expand their housing choices but lack the experience to attract <br />developers. <br />Table 9: Fiscal and zoning tools used by cities in <br />2012toexpand housing choice and amix ofhousing <br />affordability <br />....Ta/ Increment Financing (TIF) � <br />Community Development Block <br />amm(CDBa) <br />Rental housing maintenance code <br />Collaboration with Community Land <br />Trust (co)o,other non -profits <br />Owner -occupied housing ' maintenance code <br />am'uuohmuucxiono <br />Livable Communities Act (LCA) <br />Reduced lot sizes o,widths <br />Parking variances <br />oo <br />nw <br />on <br />22 <br />Source- Me ~MetroOtets-20(2 <br />Affordable Housing Production in the Twin Cities Region" <br />HOUSING POLICY PLAN Three: Council Policies and Roles to Expand Viable Housing Options <br />115 <br />