Agenda - Council - 08/27/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Procedure for Complaints • Designated Fair Housing Officer (likely Community Development Director) • Outline of internal and external actions the City will undertake to advance fair housing The City is not aware of any Fair Housing complaints within the City in recent memory. There is a wide range of types of complaints including, but not limited to discrimination between Buyer and Seller during real estate transactions, between Tenant and Landlord during lease negotiation, and local policies, programs, and procedures. The attached document goes into greater detail on the purpose and need. The document also includes a model ordinance When reading through the attached guide and model ordinance, please consider the following. • The City does not have a Crime Free Ordinance for rental properties. This discussion would only apply if the City chose to adopt such an ordinance The Police Chief could speak more to the purpose and need for this type of program in other communities. • The City does not have assistance programs for homeowners or renters. Any programs available to Ramsey Residents are administered by other agencies such as Anoka County and the Metropolitan Council. These sections would not currently apply. • The City does not currently restrict number of occupants in a dwelling unit. • The City is in full compliance with State Rules pertaining to Group Homes. • The City is currently evaluating a Housing Analysis (Maxfield Study). • The City is regularly evaluating its Zoning Ordinance and updating. • The City does not have a Public Housing Authority (PHA). Discussion on the need for an Olmstead Plan do not apply. In conclusion, the policy would direct the City to add the following processes to activities already being done to comply with Federal and State Fair Housing requirements. • Identify a specific Fair Housing Officer • Provide additional access and resources about residents' rights under Fair Housing requirements • Provide training for Staff on Fair Housing requirements • Complete a Housing Analysis [nearly complete] • Complete an analysis of City Code [broadly planned for 2020] • Project Review [noted - no specific changes necessary] • Community Engagement [complete] Funding Source: This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties. Recommendation: Staff is seeking broad policy direction at this point, and is not providing a specific recommendation. However, Staff reiterates that this policy is not required or otherwise mandated, but is necessary if the City desires to access the cleanup grant dollars recently awarded to the City for the River Walk Village development project. The policy is now a requirement for all Livable Communities Grants, from which we have received nearly $6 Million in the past 20 years. Action: No specific action is being requested. Staff is seeking broad policy direction, and will bring forward an actual policy draft if directed to do so. Attachments Fair Housing Guide