OLMSTED COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY To provide opportunities to obtain quality, affordable housing for Olmsted County residents.

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1 OLMSTED COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY To provide opportunities to obtain quality, affordable housing for Olmsted County residents. OLMSTED COUNTY HRA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REGULAR MEETING March 22, 2016 following the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting Council/Board Chambers 151 4Th St SE Rochester, MN CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. CONSENT AGENDA a. Minutes March 8, 2016 meeting 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws b. Informational: Public Housing Overview 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. COMMUNICATIONS a. Director's Report 7. ADJOURNMENT Future Meetings The next regular meeting of the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will follow the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 5, 2016 at th Street SE, Council/Board Chambers, Rochester MN Generated 3/16/2016 1:44 PM

2 Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes for March 8, a OCHRA STAFF AND COUNTY STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Paul Fleissner, Community Services Director Michele Merxbauer, Housing Program Manager Stephanie Reese, Accountant Richard Devlin, County Administrator Belinda Krenik, Communications and Strategic Planning Director Brent Walz, Civil Lead Attorney Karen Mozina, Clerk Specialist II CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Paul Wilson called the meeting to order at 11:20 AM. CONSENT AGENDA Wilson moved; Podulke seconded, to approve the following in the Consent Agenda. Motion: [Unanimous] AYES: Podulke, Brown, Wilson, Flynn, Kiscaden, Ohly, Davey ABSENT: Bier a. Minutes of the February 16, 2016 meeting NEW BUSINESS a. Approve Public Housing Flat Rents Brown moved; Ohly seconded, to approve Public Housing Flat Rents. Motion: [Unanimous] AYES: Podulke, Brown, Wilson, Flynn, Kiscaden, Ohly, Davey ABSENT: Bier b. Approve Revisions of HRA Bylaws Brown moved; Ohly seconded, to table the approval Revisions of HRA Bylaws Motion: [Unanimous] AYES: Podulke, Brown, Wilson, Flynn, Kiscaden, Ohly, Davey ABSENT: Bier Commissioner Davey expressed concern over four different items in the bylaws. She expressed concern over the definition of All documents in Section 14; a discussion among the board clarifying the definition and intent of the paragraph addressed Commissioner Davey s concerns, and she dismissed the issue. Commissioner Davey had questions in Article II Organization, Officers and Administration regarding the appropriate placement and organization of staff and personnel in the section. After discussion and clarification from the Board, Commissioner Davey dismissed the issue. The Board voted to table the approval of bylaws after questions and concerns were broached by Commissioner Davey regarding the absence of a purpose statement in the bylaws, and the appropriate and necessary language regarding an empty Resident commissioner position on the Board. It was requested that Executive Director Jacobson address these issues and bring back Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 8, :00 AM (Consent Agenda) Generated 3/16/2016 1:17 PM Packet Pg. 2

3 3.a Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 8, :00 AM suggestions for the Board to review. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Commissioner Kiscaden presented information on the City of Rochester Comprehensive Plan regarding an Affordable Housing Design Checklist. The checklist is to determine whether a proposed housing development contributes to creating a connected community and both the project s location and design. ADJOURNMENT Brown moved; Ohly seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m. until the next Olmsted County Housing & Redevelopment Authority board meeting to be held on March 22, 2016 after the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting. Motion: [Unanimous] AYES: Podulke, Brown, Wilson, Flynn, Kiscaden, Ohly, Davey ABSENT: Bier Stephanie Podulke, Secretary Paul Wilson, Board Chair Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Mar 8, :00 AM (Consent Agenda) 2 P a g e Packet Pg. 3

4 4.a REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws Meeting Date: 03/22/16 Request: New Business Action: Motion Type: Administration/Finance/Policy Contact: Cheryl Jacobson Phone/ BACKGROUND The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is required under Minnesota Statutes , subdivision 2 to adopt bylaws and other rules for conduct of its affairs. Periodic review and updating of the HRA's bylaws ensures that they are reflective of current practices and legal requirements. The HRA's bylaws were last updated in December, Staff reviewed the current bylaws and suggested changes with the HRA Board of Commissioners during the January 19, 2016 and March 8, 2016 meetings. Two points from the March 8 meeting are outstanding and include the addition of a purpose to the bylaws and the resident commissioner exception. The following are recommendations and reflected in the attached draft: 1) Adding a Purpose Statement-The HRA's purpose is provided for in State statute and confirmed by resolution of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners (Resolutions and ). Providing for a purpose in the bylaws is optional. Staff has included in the attached bylaw draft (Article I, Section 2), a purpose statement which restates the powers and duties as were confirmed in the Olmsted County resolutions. Purpose, as defined by mission and vision will be determined during the HRA s future strategic planning process and will be included as part of the HRA's strategic plan document and not the HRA bylaws. 2) Resident Commissioner Exception--Code of Federal Regulations does allow for a Public Housing Authority Resident Commissioner exception. The application of exception factors are considered by staff during the process of soliciting for a resident commissioner. Federal regulations are specific about the requirements for claiming an exception and the requirements must be repeated on an annual basis. Article II, Section 2 of the draft bylaws states that the selection shall be governed by applicable federal regulations and state statutes". This statement is written broadly in order to accommodate the resident commissioner appointment requirements, including the requirements for claiming an exception. ATTACHMENTS: Reformatted Bylaws (DOCX) Housing Director s Comments: Action Recommended Packet Pg. 4

5 4.a.a BYLAWS OLMSTED COUNTY HOUSING and REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OLMSTED COUNTY, MINNESOTA ARTICLE I -- THE AUTHORITY Section 1 Name of Authority. The name of the Authority shall be the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Section 2 Purpose of Authority The Authority shall have the powers and duties of a housing and redevelopment authority as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 469, Sections to Section 3 Seal of Authority. The seal of the Authority shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the name of the Authority. Section 4 Office of Authority. The offices of the Authority shall be at 2117 Campus Drive Southeast, Rochester, Minnesota. ARTICLE II -- ORGANIZATION, OFFICERS and ADMINISTRATION Section 1 Board of Commissioners. Members of the Board of Commissioners of the Authority (the Authority Board ) shall be the same as the current members of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, and shall have Authority Board terms running concurrent with County Board terms. Section 2 Resident Commissioner. The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners shall appoint one (1) Resident Commissioner to the Authority Board. The selection shall be governed by applicable federal regulations and state statutes. The Resident Commissioner shall be a full member of the Authority Board with the same responsibilities held by other Commissioners. The term of the Resident Commissioner shall be for five years or until the appointee no longer meets the eligibility requirements as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Part 964, Subpart E, whichever comes first. Section 3 Officers. The officers of the Authority shall be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary shall be selected from members of the Authority Board. Attachment: Reformatted Bylaws (2017 : Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws) Section 4 Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Authority. At each meeting, the Chairperson shall submit such recommendations and information as may be considered proper concerning the business, affairs and policies of the Authority. 1 Packet Pg. 5

6 4.a.a Section 5 Vice Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson. In case of a vacancy in the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall perform such duties as are imposed on the Chairperson until such time as the Authority shall select a new Chairperson. Section 6 Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for oversight, recording and maintaining accurate records of the meetings of the Authority Board and of all actions, official, financial and otherwise, taken by or on behalf of the Authority. Section 7 Associate Director. The Authority may employ an Associate Director Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the Housing Director ), or obtain these services from Olmsted County, who shall serve as the Executive Director of the Authority and have general supervision over the administration of its business and affairs including management of Authority staff, housing projects and programs, subject to direction of the Authority Board. The Housing Director shall serve as the assistant to the Secretary in the duties described in Article II, Section 6. The Housing Director may delegate any responsibilities described above to other staff of the Authority. However, no Commissioner of the Authority shall be eligible to hold this office. Section 8 Additional Duties. The officers of the Authority shall perform such other duties and functions as may, from time to time, be required by the Authority or the bylaws or rules and regulations of the Authority. Section 9 Committees. The Board of Commissioners shall have authority to establish such committees from their membership as they deem proper and expedient to conduct the business of the Authority. Section 10 Attendance. Each board member is expected to attend each meeting of the Authority. However, credit shall be given for attendance by board members at other official business of the Authority including, but not limited to, committee meetings, presentations to other public bodies, service clubs and tenants groups, and membership on the boards of other housing related organizations. Section 11 Election of Officers. The officers of the Authority shall be elected at the first meeting of the calendar year of the Authority from among Authority Commissioners and shall hold office for a one year term, although they shall continue to serve beyond that period until their successors are elected and qualified. Attachment: Reformatted Bylaws (2017 : Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws) 2 Packet Pg. 6

7 4.a.a Section 12 Vacancies. Should the office of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Secretary become vacant, the Authority shall elect a successor from its membership at the next regular meeting, and such election shall be for the unexpired term of said office. Section 13 Additional Personnel. The Authority may from time to time employ or contract for such personnel as it deems necessary to exercise its powers, duties and functions as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes and other state and federal laws applicable thereto. The selection and compensation of any personnel employed directly by the Authority shall be determined by the Authority and in accordance with the Olmsted County position classification structure and compensation plan. Section 14 Contracts and Other Transactional Documents. All documents requiring approval of the Authority Board shall be executed as authorized or directed by the approving resolution. If no such resolution is adopted by the Authority Board, or such resolution is silent as to the execution, the document may be executed by the Chairperson or Housing Director. Except as otherwise authorized by motion of the Authority, the Chairperson shall sign all documents pertaining to the conveyance of real property (deeds, mortgages, etc.) made by the Authority. The Secretary shall attest all documents pertaining to the conveyance of real property (deeds, mortgages, etc.) which have been signed by the Chairperson. Documents not requiring specific approval by the Authority Board may be executed on behalf of the Authority by the Chairperson or Housing Director. In the absence or disability of the Chairperson, documents may be executed by the Vice Chairperson or any other Authority Commissioner. In the absence or disability of the Housing Director, documents may be executed by the Director of Community Services or such other person as the Housing Director has authorized to do so. Section 15 Commissioner Compensation. To the extent permitted by Minnesota law and by approval of the Authority Board, Authority Board members may receive compensation for attending each regular and special meeting of the Authority, as well as receiving compensation for necessary expenses, including travel expenses incurred in the performance of duties. ARTICLE III -- MEETINGS Attachment: Reformatted Bylaws (2017 : Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws) Section 1 Regular Meetings. The Authority Board, shall adopt a schedule of dates of regular Authority Board meetings. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, a schedule of regular meetings shall be kept on file at the principal office of the Authority. If a regular meeting is to be held on a date, at a time or place different from the date, time or place identified in the annual schedule, notice shall be given as though it is a special meeting under the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. 3 Packet Pg. 7

8 4.a.a Section 2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Authority may be called by the Chairperson, the Housing Director or three members of the Authority for the purpose of transacting any business designated for the call. Special meetings shall be held as authorized and in accordance with procedures established by the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. At least three calendar days prior to a special meeting, written notice of its date, time, place and purpose shall be (a) mailed, delivered, or electronically forwarded to all members of the Authority Board, (b) mailed or otherwise delivered to anyone who has specifically requested notice of special meetings and (c) posted on the principal bulletin board or usual meeting room door. Section 3 Emergency Meetings. Emergency meetings of the Authority Board may be called by the Chairperson, the Housing Director or any three members of the Authority Board. An emergency meeting is a special meeting called because of circumstances that, in the judgment of the Authority, require immediate consideration by the Authority Board. Good faith efforts shall be made to notify, by telephone or other means, each Commissioner and any media organization having previously filed a written request of notice of such meeting with the Authority of the time, place and purpose of such emergency meeting. Section 4 Closed Meetings. Closed meetings shall be held as authorized and in accordance with procedures established by the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. Before closing a meeting, the Authority shall state on the record the specific statutory grounds permitting the meeting to be closed and describe the subject to be discussed. Section 5 Quorum. The powers of the Authority shall be vested in the Commissioners thereof in office at any time. Five Commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is obtained. When a quorum is in attendance, action may be taken by the Authority upon vote of a majority of the Commissioners present. Section 6 Order of Business. At the regular meetings of the Authority the following shall be the order of business: A. Roll Call B. Approval of Agenda C. Consent Agenda a. Approval of Meeting Minutes D. Discussion Agenda E. Old Business F. Informational Items G. Adjournment Attachment: Reformatted Bylaws (2017 : Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws) 4 Packet Pg. 8

9 4.a.a All resolutions shall be in writing and shall be copied in the journal of the proceedings of the Authority. Section 7 Manner of Voting. The voting on all questions coming before the Authority Board may be by unanimous consent or shall be by voice vote, or by roll call vote, if requested by an Authority Commissioner, the yeas and nays shall be entered upon the minutes of such meeting. The vote of each member must be recorded on each appropriation of money, as required by Minnesota Statute. Section 8 Official Record. The minutes of the all meetings of the Authority Board, once approved, shall constitute the official record. All resolutions shall be in writing and shall be copied in the journal of proceedings of the Authority. ARTICLE IV -- AMENDMENTS The bylaws of the Authority may be amended by the Authority Board with approval of at least five members of the Authority at a regular or special meeting. Adopted: December 10, 2012 Revised: March 22, 2016 Attachment: Reformatted Bylaws (2017 : Approval of Olmsted County HRA Bylaws) 5 Packet Pg. 9

10 4.b REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Informational: Public Housing Overview Meeting Date: 03/22/16 Request: Informational Action: No Action Requested Type: Administration/Finance/Policy Contact: Cheryl Jacobson Phone/ BACKGROUND Public Housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers federal aid to local housing authorities that own and manage public housing units. Locally, Public Housing units are owned and managed by Olmsted County HRA. HRA staff will provide an overview of the Public Housing Program. Housing Director s Comments: Informational -- No Action Needed Packet Pg. 10

11 DIRECTOR S UPDATE Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) 6.a TO: FROM: HRA Board of Commissioners Cheryl Jacobson, Housing Director DATE: March 14, 2016 Statewide Homeless Study Counts Released Wilder Research released the results of their triennial statewide survey of homeless people in Minnesota. Conducted since 1991, the study is a point in time survey of people throughout the state who meet the federal definition of homelessness. It includes counts and estimates of the number of people who are homeless, and a survey of homeless people. The survey is conducted every three years on the last Thursday in October at emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, transitional housing programs, social service agencies, encampments and abandoned buildings. About two thirds of the interviews take place in the Twin Cities area. The most recent survey was conducted on October 22, Overall, the study counted 9,312 homeless adults, youth and children in Minnesota, a decrease of nine percent from the 2012 study and the first decrease since The study counted 3,296 homeless children with parents, down seven percent from 2012; and 1,542 families, down 12 percent. Children with parents still represent 35 percent of the overall homeless population. Attached is the Survey Fact Sheet highlighting key study data. Southeastern Minnesota data is available at: homeless study/detailed datacounts/2015/southeastmn 2015 Homeless Counts_3 16.pdf Revenue Recapture The HRA has reinstituted the policy of collecting outstanding debts owed to the HRA through Revenue Recapture. By the end of 2015, the amount of outstanding debt owed to the HRA had reached $90,510. During January an additional $33,949 was added to the total of debts owed to the HRA. Debts to the HRA stem from damages to units, work orders that were unpaid upon move out, or outstanding rent owed to the HRA. Debts are usually from tenants, but from time to time may be from another HRA or a landlord. For example, a tenant may not report a change in income, which results in a higher HAP payment to the landlord. The tenant then owes the difference in the HAP back to the HRA. Current tenants have the option of paying the debt in full or adhering to a payment plan; former tenants are sent a bill and then reported to Revenue Recapture. Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Since filing the requests through Revenue Recapture, to date we have collected a total of $10, Revenue Recapture is filed through the State of MN Department of Revenue and prevents an individual from collecting his/her full tax refund if there are outstanding debts owed to government agencies. The HRA will continue to see revenue come in through the tax season and will see another spike again in August and September, as individuals submit for their rental reimbursement. Packet Pg. 11

12 6.a Minnesota Housing Partnership Releases Legislative District Profiles Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) released its 2016 Legislative District Profiles. The profiles provide a comprehensive overview of state housing trends focusing on housing affordability, wages, the rental market, the homeownership market and homelessness for each legislative district. Profiles by district can be found at: district profiles In the News Plans for multifamily housing advance in Shakopee Daher, N. (2016, March 3). Plans for multifamily housing advance in Shakopee. Retrieved from: for multifamily housing advance in shakopee/ / (Article Attached) Upcoming Events Hamline University s 2016 Community Economic Development Symposium (April 29, 2016; information at: economic developmentsymposium/) Affordable Housing Summit hosted by Minnesota Housing, Baker Tilly and Winthrop Weinstine (May 19, 2016; information at: Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Packet Pg. 12

13 6.a FACT SHEET Single night count of people experiencing homelessness 2015 Minnesota Homeless Study Every three years, Wilder Research conducts a statewide study to better understand the prevalence, causes, circumstances, and effects of homelessness. The study includes face-to-face interviews with people throughout the state who meet the federal definition of homelessness, as well as a count of people who were homeless on a single Thursday in late October. This fact sheet provides a summary of the counts from the most recent study (October 22, 2015). Counts include all people staying in emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, and transitional housing (including a few Rapid Rehousing programs that continue to function as transitional housing sites). The study also counted non-sheltered homeless people identified through outreach in locations such as encampments, hot-meal programs, and other drop-in service sites. 9,312 homeless adults, youth, and children were counted, down 9 percent from 2012 ONE-NIGHT STUDY COUNTS OF THE MINNESOTA HOMELESS POPULATION, Communication: Director's Report (Communications) After a 32 percent increase between 2006 and 2012, the overall number of homeless people in Minnesota has returned to levels similar to The number of homeless children decreased by 7% from 2012 to However, children still represent 35% of the overall homeless population. The number of families experiencing homelessness decreased by 12% (down to 1,542 in 2015). The number of homeless adults age 55 and older is up 8% since 2012, with the largest increase in the Twin Cities metro emergency shelters, where the number of older adults increased by 21% since However, the growth in homeless older adults is similar to the growth of this age group in the overall Minnesota population. The greatest percent increase in the count between 2012 and 2015 was among unaccompanied minors under 18 (up 46%). However, this is also the least visible and most difficult portion of the homeless population to enumerate and fluctuations in these numbers can easily be due to better identification through school outreach and slight increases in youth shelter beds including those added with the recent passage of Safe Harbor and other homeless youth legislation. Packet Pg. 13

14 6.a Changes from year to year vary depending on age group HOMELESS NUMBERS BY AGE GROUP, AND PERCENT CHANGE BETWEEN 2012 AND study 2012 study 2015 study % change ( ) Children (17 and under) with parents 3,251 3,546 3,296-7% Unaccompanied minors (17 and under) % Young adults (18-21) 1,041 1, % Adults (22-54) ** 4,585 4,708 4,108-13% Older adults (55 and over) % Total 9,654* 10,214* 9,312* -9% *Totals include homeless people (of unknown age) in detox on the night of the survey (24 in 2009, 32 in 2012 and 73 in 2015). **Young adults age are included in the adults category so that we can compare to data collected in previous studies. Young people are most at risk for homelessness Compared to their representation in the total Minnesota population, children and youth under 24 are the most likely to be homeless. HOMELESS MINNESOTANS COMPARED TO ALL MINNESOTANS BY AGE GROUP Percent of MN homeless population* Percent of MN total population** Minors (17 and under)*** 38% 23% Young adults (18-21) 8% 5% Young adults (22-24) 5% 4% Adults (25-54) 39% 40% Older adults (55 and over) 9% 27% *Percentages are based on the total number of people counted minus those in detox (73) for whom age is not known. **Source for MN total population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey. ***Includes unaccompanied homeless minors and children with their homeless parents. Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Children and youth ages 24 and younger make up over half of all homeless persons (52%). The percentage age 21 and younger has remained consistent since 2012 (46%). Compared to their representation in the overall Minnesota population, older adults ages 55 and over are least likely to be homeless. However, this group makes up 9% of the homeless population and the number continues to grow from study to study. Packet Pg. 14

15 6.a Twin Cities metro vs. greater Minnesota 2015 COUNTS BY METRO AND GREATER MINNESOTA, AND SHELTERED VS. NOT IN SHELTER Metro in shelters Metro not in shelter Total Metro Greater MN in shelters Greater MN not in shelter Total greater MN Unaccompanied minors (17 and under) Young adults (18-21) Young adults (22-24) Adults (22-54) 2, , ,187 Older adults (55 and over) Children (<18) with parents 2, , ,098 Total 5, ,202 2, ,037 Note: This table does not include 73 homeless people in detox for whom age is not known. It also does not include homeless person counted as part of the Reservation Homeless Study. Counts of homeless and near homeless on American Indian Reservations will be released later this year. Statewide, the number of people who were found outside the shelter system dropped by 25% since While the decrease was relatively modest (down 4%) in the metro area, the decrease in greater Minnesota (down 37%) was considerable. The large drop in greater Minnesota is likely inflated due to decreased outreach in some areas. Statewide, the number of people counted in emergency shelters dropped by 8%, and the number of people in transitional housing (including transitional housing programs reclassified as Rapid Rehousing) was down 5%. However, the number of people in domestic violence shelters was up 15%. The number of unaccompanied minors age 17 or younger in shelters increased by 56% since 2012; this includes a 124% increase in transitional housing programs (reflecting increased capacity) and a 23% increase in emergency shelters. The number of minors counted outside of the shelter system increased by 38% since Communication: Director's Report (Communications) These numbers are a minimum, based on actual counts Because time-specific counts and surveys are not able to completely enumerate all people experiencing homelessness in any given geographical area, the numbers represented in this report should be considered a minimum. All such counts underrepresent the total homeless population, since many homeless people outside the shelter system are not found on the night of the study. This is especially true of youth on their own, who often couch hop or find other temporary places to stay, and homeless people in greater Minnesota where there are fewer shelters. The count does not include estimates of the uncounted or unidentified homeless population. Total single night estimates of Minnesota s homeless population will be reported in the fall of Packet Pg. 15

16 6.a More from the homeless study This fact sheet draws from the more detailed report, Homelessness in Minnesota: Statewide and Region Counts of Homeless People, which includes counts by geographic regions of the state, and by shelter types, age categories, gender, and families/ singles within each region (available at Reports with detailed information about background and characteristics of homeless Minnesotans, as well as specialized reports on homeless youth, veterans, older adults, families, and long-term homeless populations will be released throughout 2016 and made available on our website. In addition, a companion study of homelessness on American Indian reservations was also conducted in October 2015 in partnership with six northern Tribes. These numbers will be reported separately in the fall of Additional resources on homelessness in Minnesota Wilder s triennial statewide study of homelessness is considered the most comprehensive source of descriptive information about homeless adults, youth, and children in Minnesota. It is not intended to be a complete count because no study strategy can locate all homeless people. Other sources of information that complement our understanding of homelessness include: An annual January point in time (PIT) count of persons living in shelters, outdoors, and in places not meant for habitation. This count is required by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which includes client information compiled by all providers of federal and state funded emergency shelter and supportive housing programming. Together, these sources are used nationwide to inform federal, state, and local policies to prevent and end homelessness. Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Wilder Research Information. Insight. Impact. 451 Lexington Parkway North Saint Paul, Minnesota The study is an independent initiative of Wilder Research in partnership with public and private funders and in-kind support from service providers throughout the state. Study co-directors: Michelle Gerrard, Greg Owen MARCH 2016 Packet Pg. 16

17 Plans for multifamily housing advance in Shakopee - StarTribune.com Page 1 of 2 6.a SOUTH METRO Plans for multifamily housing advance in Shakopee By Natalie Daher ( Star Tribune MARCH 3, :15PM Two plans for high-density housing in Shakopee are advancing as Scott County looks to house more people in less space. Preliminary requests for a 300-unit multifamily housing complex by Southbridge Crossings East got unanimous approval by City Council last month, and its developer, Sand Companies, now must submit another round of applications. On Wednesday, the developer MWF Properties secured a fee waiver to apply for a 57-unit workforce housing property next to Target on Marschall Road. Scott County is the fastest-growing county in the state and has been for some time, said Bill Jaffa, executive director of the county s Community Development Agency. As a result, we re rapidly using up our pad-ready sites, or potential real estate property, especially in Shakopee. The CDA commissioned a study in 2011 that confirmed Shakopee s growing renter population, and the Metropolitan Council has recommended more affordable housing. Shakopee, already home to Shutterfly and Emerson, is making room for a second Amazon.com center this year that will create another 1,000 full-time jobs. The variety of jobs that are being created are everything from a lower-wage entry job to higher-end tech jobs, Jaffa said. Where are people going to come from to fill these jobs? Shakopee s City Council is discussing potential sites for multifamily housing, as potential single-family lots dwindle and more residents move in. The city s most recent market-rate housing complex is Addison Apartments, which was completed last year. The most recent affordable housing complex was the All Saints Senior Living facility in Residents are also simply less interested in the demands of homeownership, or less equipped to make down payments on mortgages, according to senior planner Kyle Sobota. People want a lower-maintenance lifestyle, Sobota said. Not as many people are looking for single-family houses, even if they can afford one. A common misconception, according to city planners and developers, is that all highdensity housing is subsidized by taxpayers causing friction among council members and criticism by homeowners. Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Eligible residents for the MWF Properties complex must earn between 30 and 60 percent of the area s median income. Council Member Jay Whiting said the city has a lot of people that would need and use affordable housing, while Mayor Bill Mars criticized the Metropolitan Council s fees for prospective developers. Council Member Matt Lehman said he s a mortgage holder and not sure I want to be paying for somebody else s home. Neighboring communities have successfully launched workforce housing developments, including the 66-unit Village Commons that opened in Savage in For Peter Harmon, a chiropractor, the lower-rent opportunity arose at the right time. His co-owned practice had folded, so his family of five applied. He and his wife, Katy, a stay-at-home mom, moved in and saved up, and Harmon opened his own practice in St. Paul last March. That s really helped us get on our feet and get moving, he said. Living there just really helped us to utilize the money that we did have, and bought him time to build a business. Packet Pg. 17 3/7/2016

18 Plans for multifamily housing advance in Shakopee - StarTribune.com Page 2 of 2 6.a The closer quarters, Harmon said, connected his family with neighbors of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. I get to learn a lot of customs and a how a lot of different people live It breaks down barriers, he said. Jaffa said: The [housing] issue itself is almost like a perfect circle. There s no beginning, and there s no end. natalie.daher@startribune.com Communication: Director's Report (Communications) Packet Pg. 18 3/7/2016