Rethinking Housing

Strategic Acquisition Fund for Transit Oriented Development

2011-12-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

The Family Housing Fund, in partnership with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the Metropolitan Council, and in collaboration with the Saint Paul Foundation/Corridors of Opportunity Living Cities The Integration Initiative, is pleased to share with you the report: Strategic Acquisition Fund for Transit Oriented Development - Understanding the National Experience, Exploring the Needs and Opportunities in the Twin Cities Region by consultant Deidre Schmidt.

Please take a few moments to review the recommendations that are made in this document and post your questions and thoughts– it is a goal of ours to agree upon specific action steps, either those included or others, so that this report has findings and next steps that echo previous work and advance the alignment of incentives and resources in order to take collective action to implement the vision and goals of the Corridors of Opportunity. The author, Deidre Schmidt, will stay updated on your posts and is happy to answer questions and provide feedback. We look forward to your comments!

Green Remodeling Plan Book

2011-12-16T08:03:00.001-08:00

The Green Remodeling Plan Book is a tool that can assist homeowners in preserving the long-term affordability of their homes, updating existing affordable homes to continue to be relevant as our expectations for homes change, and preserve a valuable source of starter homes for the next generation of homeowners. The Plan Book was developed in partnership with the Roseville HRA, and tailored to that community. However, as a free on-line resource, it is available to all the communities and was supported by the Family Housing Fund as a resource they can promote to their residents.

Affordable Workforce Rentals

2011-12-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Urban Land Institute recently published a discussion paper titled, "America's Housing Policy - the Missing Piece," a paper focused on the importance of affordable workforce housing. The demand for rental housing has dramatically increased, but it is only expected to increase more with changing demographics, economic conditions, and housing preferences. The author, J. Ronald Terwilliger, states there is a need for America to adjust housing policy to reflect those changes. While the need for rental housing is increasing, so is the cost of rental housing because of high demand and low supply. Terwilliger states, "In today’s highly competitive globalized world, America requires a dynamic, mobile workforce that can respond quickly to a changing marketplace. Renting gives working families the flexibility to relocate that a modern economy demands." The paper suggests that if America is to provide decent living environments for every American family, our leaders will need to ensure there is enough affordable, quality
rental housing. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Redevelopment in the Twin Cities: A Developer's View

2011-06-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

The Family Housing Fund and ULI Minnesota recently prepared a report titled: Redevelopment in the Twin Cities: A Developer's View after realizing from many Rethinking Housing discussions that in order to rethink housing, there is a need to rethink how housing is actually created. After interviewing ten private developers who routinely do redevelopment projects in the Twin Cities, they found similar responses from the developers regarding the fact that in order to effectively do redevelopment, a new type of interaction between developers and public officials is needed. The report is intended to spark new conversation between public officials and the development community with the report's findings as a starting point.

Please click here to view the full report.

New Harvard Report: America's Rental Housing

2011-05-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

A recent report titled America's Rental Housing: Meeting Challenges, Building on Opportunity from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University discusses the nation's rental housing challenges in a troubled homeownership market. With rental prices increasing, the report states there is a strong need for affordable rental opportunities, but this will take a joint effort from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

To read the full report, click here.

New Metropolis Minnesota: Growing Together as a Region

2011-04-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

New Metropolis Minnesota: Growing Together as a Region to Air on TPT The new program, also titled “New Metropolis Minnesota,” will air in conjunction with the complete documentary, The New Metropolis, on Sunday, May 1 from 8 – 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 from noon – 2 p.m. Details: Sunday, May 1, 2011 on TPT’s Minnesota Channel 8:00 p.m. “A Crack in the Pavement” (episode 1) 8:30 p.m. “The New Neighbors” (episode 2) 9:00 p.m. “New Metropolis Minnesota” Sunday, May 8, 2011 on TPT Life: 12:00 p.m. “A Crack in the Pavement” (episode 1) 12:30 p.m. “The New Neighbors” (episode 2) 1:00 p.m. “New Metropolis Minnesota”

Reforming America's Housing Finance Market: The Administration's Proposal

2011-02-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

The US Treasury issued a paper on reforming government sponsored entities on February 11, 2011. On February 22, 2011, Urban Land Institute Senior Resident Fellow and ULI/J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing, John K. Mcllwain, responded to this report and shares three options that are being considered to replace government sponsored entities. Read the full report here.

Rethinking Housing Design

2011-02-13T14:10:00.000-08:00

In early December 2010, community members and local leaders gathered to rethink affordable housing design in the Twin Cities region over a two-day event. Keynote speaker, Maurice Cox, delivered a powerful message on the importance of design excellence at a public event to an audience of nearly 150 people, while day two’s workshop generated dialogue among 60 local leaders to re-imagine how we can elevate innovative and holistic design in affordable housing now and in the future throughout the region. The purpose of the workshop was to examine the following key questions:

1. With increasingly diverse needs for a full range of housing, how can a broader community become engaged in design in a meaningful way?

2. How can innovative designs connect communities, especially underserved communities, to opportunity—opportunity to work, to be safe and healthy, and to play?

3. What steps can this region take to move beyond the financial, political, social, and creative barriers to high quality and distinctive design of housing?

To view a full summary report of the two day event, please click here.

Location Efficiency and Housing Type - Boiling it Down to BTUs

2011-02-09T17:51:00.001-08:00

This past January, the Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the Jonathan Rose Companies, released a study analyzing the energy use associated with a range of development approaches.

The Study, Location Efficiency and Housing Type - Boiling it Down to BTUs, contrasts development in conventional, automobile-dependent locations with more location efficient, transit oriented locations; multifamily housing construction with single-family detached and attached houses; and conventional cars and homes with their energy efficient counterparts.

The report finds that a home's location and access to transit - in other words, its location efficiency - are as important to reduce energy use as are energy-efficiency measures in homes and cars.

Guest blogger: Dan Hylton, HousingLink

2010-10-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

This post originally appeared in Housing Sense on October 13th.

Recently, the McKnight Foundation released the Minnesota Baseline Housing Measures, a three-year study of affordable housing trends in Minnesota from 2007 through 2009. My organization, HousingLink, was privileged to have been commissioned to conduct this research that focuses primarily on work initiated and/or funded by the public and nonprofit sectors. The goal was to present a public-facing progress report, as well as develop a framework to guide future investments towards those which can make the greatest impact.

McKnight’s evaluation of affordable housing work centers on the overall vision of “increasing family stability and linking families to greater opportunity in our communities.” To quantify progress towards that objective, seven representative measures related to affordable housing and production, socio- and economic integration, and neighborhood stabilization were chosen, and a myriad of data sources were defined, tracked, and reported upon over the three-year period.

The report can be viewed at McKnight’s website, along with an introduction that provides a detailed explanation of the key themes that emerged from the three years of study. Here is a summary of the key themes:

Public and nonprofit entities have been facing a challenge on two fronts simultaneously; not only needing to address an affordable shortage (only exacerbated during times of economic crisis), but also in the need to respond to a crisis in foreclosure that is unlike anything our nation has ever seen.

These entities have responded, particularly in the area of foreclosure, where there has been an unprecedented level of coordination and partnership at various levels. While foreclosures are still at historic levels, MN state and local government agencies, along with a coalition of nonprofit partners, have attracted federal investment and developed a number of initiatives ranging from a statewide network of foreclosure counselors to an interagency community land bank.

Homelessness is on the rise and new affordable housing production cannot keep up with the challenge presented by a continuing high unemployment rate and increasing number of Minnesotans burdened by housing costs. In addition, the share of the burden falling on non-profit and government entities during this time (what we in the affordable housing call “the gap”) has grown. Federal investment, much of it in the form of the federal stimulus package, ramped up significantly in 2009; but that was a shorter-term solution, and the need for housing solutions to address those most in need is not going away.

In the midst of these overwhelming challenges to the community has been evidence of a strategic and holistic approach to affordable housing investment. In addition to trends toward the re-use and preservation of existing structures has been an increasing commitment of partners, from local to national levels, to housing investment made in the larger context of other factors that lead to sustainable, cost-efficient communities. This includes transportation, job access, “walkability,” and various elements related to socio-economic integration.

I find it interesting that the Housing Measures study was conducted over a three-year period that was arguably the most turbulent period in the past half-century. One might argue against the relevance of a three-year trend during a period of housing we’ve never seen before and may never see again. But a snapshot during this time affords us the opportunity to view organizations and agencies in the unique light of responding to an ever-changing and unpredictable environment. What is coming into focus is a re-thinking in how we develop communities and provide shelter for those most in need. It seems to me that times like this, with resources tight and no proven road map for success, are the impetus for just the sort of innovation and risk-taking that might provide new strategies for future solutions.

Dan Hylton is the Research Manager at HousingLink. HousingLink is a Minneapolis-based non-profit that serves as a crucial source for affordable housing-related data, information and resources.

Rethinking Housing work group proposes actions to reform housing finance systems

2010-09-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Following the November 2009 Rethinking Housing Finance Forum, a work group has now proposed action steps for housing agencies and organizations to take with the goal of reforming housing finance systems in the face of new market realities. These actions present possibilities of spurring the market to purchase, renovate and build a full range of housing choices in a new economy. Actions are organized around the following themes:

1. Supporting a stronger commitment to public financing of affordable housing and improving understanding of the value of a full range of housing choices as important to economic prosperity.

2. Improving efficiency in the delivery and commitment of financial resources for housing preservation and development.

3. Developing a strategy to prioritize limited public funds and balance the support of housing preservation and new development.

4. Modifying and providing flexibility of existing resources by using effective models and infrastructure to meet changing demographics and market demand.

5. Responding to the credit crunch and market difficulties by creating new innovative public finance resources that spurs additional private investment in housing preservation and new development.

To see the full Rethinking Housing Finance Work Group Proposed Actions report, please click on the link.

Nationally recognized architect advocates for high-quality design in affordable housing

2010-07-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

If conventional wisdom says that affordable housing cannot afford distinctive design, then Lawrence Scarpa from the California-based architecture firm Pugh + Scarpa, says to the contrary: it requires it.

Scarpa, who was chosen to be the keynote speaker for the first annual Afford able Housing Design Leadership Institute now convening in Minneapolis, is the recipient of the 2010 National American Institute of Architecture’s Firm of the Year award.

Drawing on examples from his own practice, Scapra told the audience of architects, housing policy advocates and developers gathered at the MacPhail Center on Wednesday night, that the poor are just like everyone else – well designed spaces can touch their souls and improve their well being. It has been this belief and his continual search to find meaning in this work that lead him to co-found Livable Places, a nonprofit in the Los Angeles area that promotes mixed use housing on underutilized land. With this renewed focus, Scarpa has up-fitted 3000 mobile homes with the help of local high school kids who also learn carpentry skills; designed multi-family housing like Colorado Court in Santa Monica which blends affordability with energy efficiency and distinctive design; and performed historic rehabilitations like the Alta Lofts/Fuller Building close to downtown Los Angeles that not only builds the character of the neighborhood but offers convenient access to public transportation and jobs.

While Scarpa inspired the audience with his designs, he also challenged them to tackle challenging policy issues that often stand in the way of providing affordable housing. Adding densities to residential zones through small lot ordinances or incentive based zoning are two approaches his organization, Livable Places, has taken.

Scarpa’s speech kicked-off Enterprise’s Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute, a program intended to bring together national leaders to focus on innovation and best practices. Gathered for a two-and-a-half day session, a design resource team of expert designers and a team of developers with projects in the schematic design phase, will join forces to create solutions that will impact real affordable housing projects nationwide.

RSVP! Keynote Speaker and Public Reception for Enterprise’s Inaugural Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute

2010-07-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, July 21, Enterprise Community Partners will host keynote speaker Larry Scarpa of Pugh + Scarpa, 2010 National AIA Firm of the Year, to kick off the first annual Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute.

July 21, 6 p.m.
MacPhail Center for Music
501 S 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401

This free event will welcome leading national developers and designers who are innovating at the cutting edge of sustainable, affordable housing and green communities to the Twin Cities for a 2 ½ day workshop designed to engage development leaders in real-world case studies to produce more livable, sustainable and resource-efficient housing for low- and moderate-income people.

Space is limited so please RSVP to reserve your spot for the public reception soon. For more information contact Mary Hale at mhale@enterprisecommunity.org or at 781-235-2006.

Enterprise Community Partners has chosen Minneapolis as the ideal inaugural host for this event. Its community leadership and nonprofit housing organizations demonstrate a strong commitment to incorporating green building principles, improving design quality, and engaging community residents in the design process.

The Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute has been made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota Housing and the Kendeda Fund.

MinnPost coverage of 2nd Annual Housing Initiative Conferce

2010-06-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

MinnPost reporter Brad Allen wrote a terrific article following the June 17th ULI Minnesota/Regional Council of Mayors Housing Initiative Conference.

Declaring that “the suburban century is over,” housing researcher John McIlwain predicted that a combination of economic, demographic and regulatory trends over the next decade will create “a new normal” in housing markets across the United States.

Read the article here.

Expert Jim Solem reacts to "Housing in America: the Next Decade"

2010-06-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

At the ULI Minnesota Housing Initiative conference this Thursday, John McIlwain, ULI Senior Resident Fellow and J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing, will be discussing the results of his thought-provoking work "Housing in America: The Next Decade."

Jim Solem, former Minnesota Housing Finance Agency commissioner and the first Regional Administrator for the Metropolitan Council, provides his reactions McIlwain's paper:

"The ULI paper by John McIIwain is a must read for anyone wondering about what will impact housing production, affordability and availability in the next decade. John covers all the right issues and leaves enough questions unanswered to make us think about how all the issues will play out in our region.

Example: The paper connects demographics; age based housing preferences, and development types and locations. But it doesn’t give any examples or evidence of central city neighborhoods that have accepted densities that would make possible absorbing a substantial part of the 100 million folks that are predicted to arrive by 2050.

Example: The paper does a good job of defining the issues that need to be resolved in creating a new housing finance system. But there is no discussion of the need to connect the financing tools of the future with the type if higher density, mixed use development that is suggested will be the market of the future. How will the new financing tools manage the risk associated with new forms of development that will need to occur at a scale we’ve never had?

Example: If 40% of homes with a mortgage are underwater, worth less than the mortgage, don’t we need to figure out how to work our way out of this before we can think about creative new forms of development?

Example: The politics of restructuring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seem to be on a par with the reform of the health system. Can that restructuring be done in time to be part of the solution to the excess supply that results from continuing high levels of foreclosures and jobs losses?

Example: if the national home ownership rate declines to 62%, what will need to be done to get local decision makers to understand the change and accept the need for more rental units, including renting a much higher share of the foreclosed units than is now the case?

Example: The paper clearly outlines the changes in household size and structure that will occur over the next decade. What are the creative options for the use of the housing supple built for the demographics of the past forty years? What will we do with all the suburban “starter castles”, and how do we start a thoughtful discussion of this issue?

Example: The paper makes the point about the need for rental housing and affordable workforce housing. Where are the ideas for reforming and restructuring the rental finance system that would enable the preservation and production of the units needed to meet the market changes suggested in the paper?

Anyone interested in what is likely to happen to housing production and finance in the next decade needs to read and reread this paper. Keep a list of the questions you have for the author. He will be here in June and there will be an opportunity to ask the questions and get his answers."

Register Now! Housing Strategies in a New Economy

2010-06-01T18:19:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, June 17th, the Urban Land Institute-Minnesota (ULI MN) and the Regional Council of Mayors will host Douglas Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist for Fannie Mae and John McIlwain, ULI Senior Resident Fellow and J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing at the second annual Housing Initiative conference. The speakers will address:

What housing strategies should be pursued in the new economy?
What will the housing and mortgage market look like in the future?
How should changing demographics and a new economic reality shape development?

Douglas Duncan will offer a perspective on market trends and their effect on future housing finance systems and John McIlwain will share findings from his much-discussed "Housing in America: The Next Decade" report--including the strategies needed to strengthen the Twin Cities' regional housing market.

Date: Thursday, June 17, 2010

Time: 7:30a.m.-registration, breakfast
8:00 - 11:00am-program

Location: Dorsey & Whitney, 50 S 6th Street, 15th Floor, Minnesota Room.

Cost: $40
CRE and AICP credits applied for.

Click here to register.

Investor Impacts in Neighborhoods

2010-05-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, PolicyLink, a national nonprofit advocating social equity, released a new report commissioned by the Family Housing Fund and the Northwest Area Foundation "When Investors Buy Up the Neighborhood: Strategies to Prevent Investor Ownership from Causing Neighborhood Decline"

A recent Minneapolis Star Tribune article reports:

Many of the best practices for responding to waves of foreclosures already are in place in Minneapolis or St. Paul, but Minneapolis leaders now want to focus on investors who are snapping up foreclosed single-family houses.

"It's very hard to manage them well," Mayor R.T. Rybak said at a meeting with housing officials.

The report describes three dozen strategies communities can use to reclaim foreclosed properties, encourage positive reinvestment, and stabilize their neighborhoods. The study also details how many of these approaches are already at work in Minnesota and across the country.

Housing in the Coming Decade: Adjusting to the New Normal

2010-04-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

As the U.S. economy recovers, emerging trends in demographics and consumer behavior will become major drivers of new housing opportunities, resulting in a residential market vastly different from the one that existed prior to the recession, according to Housing in America: The Next Decade, a research paper authored by John K. McIlwain, senior resident fellow, Urban Land Institute/J. Ronald Terwilliger Chair for Housing.

According to McIlwain, four major demographic groups: aging baby boomers (55 to 64 years old), younger baby boomers (46 to 54 years old), Generation Y (born between 1979 and 1996), and immigrants all have some characteristics that reflect a desire to live in more pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented, mixed-use environments that de-emphasize auto dependency, whether the location is urban or suburban. Given that economic and land constraints make it impossible for urban infill development to accommodate all the housing demand, McIlwain notes that suburban development “must adapt or it will be obsolete. The suburban century is over. This is the urban century.”

To read the full report, click here. Look for responses to this paper on this website soon!

Watch a clip of John McIllwain’s presentation of this report at a January 2010 meeting of ULI trustees.

HUD, FTA Sponsor Mixed Income TOD Action Guide

2010-03-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Mixed Income Transit Oriented Development Action Guide is a new online tool for local jurisdictions working to foster mixed income TOD at transit stations. The guide was developed by the Center for Transit Oriented Development in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As the guide calls out:

"Building compact, mixed-use communities within walkable distance of transit, a concept known as transit-oriented development (TOD), can provide a range of benefits including increased transit ridership, reduced regional congestion and pollution, and healthier, more walkable neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with a mix of both affordable and market-rate housing can also provide many benefits, such as reducing income segregation and providing lower-income residents with opportunities to move up the occupational and social ladders. Mixed-income, transit-oriented communities can reap synergistic benefits, including truly affordable housing, stable transit ridership, broadened access to opportunity, workforce stability, and health benefits."

The guide is available at: http://www.mitod.org

image: MITOD Action Guide

Workshop Series to Focus on Transit Oriented Districts & Walkable Communities

2010-03-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Getting it Done: A workshop series on Transit-Oriented Districts and Walkable Communities

Achieving transit-oriented districts and walkable communities is a daunting task. The challenges of regulatory requirements, community pressures over higher density development, multi-jurisdictional collaboration, and long term timelines are only a few of the obstacles to success. At this workshop series you will have opportunities to:

Get information on national models of success
Hear from a panel of local responders to compare strategies between transit corridors
Engage practitioners from a wide array of fields to problem solve together to strengthen efforts to implement transit-oriented districts and walkable communities.

Join us to roll up your sleeves and find solutions!

The sessions include:
Workshop I: Infrastructure and the Public Realm (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)
Workshop II: Connecting Land Use and Transportation - Overcoming Regulatory Obstacles (Monday, April 19, 2010)
Workshop III: Equitable Development and Community Benefits (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)
Workshop IV: Financing of Transit-Oriented Districts - Building Public / Private Partnerships (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)

These events are free, but registration is REQUIRED, as space is limited. Please register by contacting Gretchen Nicholls, LISC, at gnicholls@lisc.org or by phone at 651-265-2280.

For more information, visit: www.tclisc.org

image: Metropolitan Council

ULI Minnesota Opportunity Cities

2010-03-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

At the November 10th Rethinking Housing Forum, Cathy Bennett, Director of the Housing Initiative at ULI Minnesota and the Regional Council of Mayors, described the efforts and outcomes of the Opportunity Cities program. Five cities: Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka, Richfield, Rosemount, and Shoreview participated in the pilot program and received a housing audit, site analysis assistance, and detailed community change and trend information. Click here to view the presentation.

Regional and National Demographic and Economic Trends

2010-02-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

Highlighting major regional and national demographic and economic trends, Jim Solem set the stage for the Rethinking Housing Finance Systems event on November 10th.
Click here to view his presentation.

Do Local Planning Processes Fuel NIMBYism?

2010-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Place Identity, Risk Perception and Development Decision-Making in Three Suburban Communities

Working Paper
by Stacy Becker

Click here to read this report.

Minnesota HousingPolicy.org Toolbox

2010-01-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

Click on the image to visit the Minnesota Toolbox at HousingPolicy.org.

Rethinking Housing 2010: A Continuing Conversation to Identify & Develop Innovation in Buildings, Places & Systems throughout the Twin Cities Region

2010-01-21T18:50:00.000-08:00

As we move into a new year, the Family Housing Fund, together with our partners the Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Housing, Twin Cities LISC, ULI Minnesota/Regional Council of Mayors, and the McKnight Foundation, seeks to expand the conversation around Rethinking Housing.
We will be using this blog to:

provide new and thought-provoking information and analysis,
showcase best practices and innovations in design, policy, and financing,
post materials from workshops and other events, and
give users an opportunity to learn from others.

Engage!
You can interact with us by submitting comments, volunteering as a guest blogger, and suggesting relevant topics for us to cover in future posts. We want this website to be a virtual conversation and your participation is essential!

Rethinking Housing Finance Systems

2009-12-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

Our second forum, held on November 10, built upon the initial Rethinking Housing conversation and engaged participants to specifically rethink housing finance systems in our region in the face of new housing market realities. Facilitated by Stacy Becker, this forum helped invited participants:

Examine new housing market realities and trends in the Twin Cities metropolitan region and explore how these trends affect our current and future work.
Explore new approaches and financing needed to meet local and regional affordable housing needs and challenges over the next five or ten years.
Identify specific approaches (collective and individual) that will build on our region’s strongest assets and opportunities and help overcome the inevitable challenges that arise when moving in new directions.
Work to align the assets, skills, and resources of funders, developers, designers, city officials, and community residents to provide the housing needed in the future.

In advance of the workshop we gave participants materials to spur ideas about how we might rethink housing finance systems given the current housing market realities in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. See links below to access these reports and articles.

Opportunity City Pilot Program Summary Report. ULI/Regional Council of Mayors. 2009.
Affordable Housing Plan 2010-11 MN Housing.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Role of Housing in Recessions and Recoveries. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. August 2009.
Summary of Meeting with Tom Stinson, MN State Economist. Civic Caucus. October 16, 2009.
Measure the Recession’s Impact on Housing, Metro Stats, Met Council. September 2009.
Meeting Multifamily Housing Finance Needs During and After the Credit Crisis, Joint Center for Housing Studies. January 2009. (Full Version).

Click here to download a summary report of the event.

Rethinking Housing in Action

2009-05-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Rethinking Housing is all about the next generation of affordable housing in the Minnesota. Below is a listing of some of the many activities that either resulted from or are in the spirit and context of the Rethinking Housing initiative.

ULI MN/Regional Council of Mayors Housing Initiative has provided comprehensive demographic research and technical support to five “Opportunity Cities” looking to provide a full range of housing choices in their communities. A second round of opportunity cities are coming soon! To learn more about this initiative, visit: http://minnesota.uli.org/Housing.aspx.
Looking for local and national best practices related to the preservation and production of a full range of housing choices in the Twin Cities metropolitan region? Explore ULI MN/RCM’s Minnesota-specific tool box at: http://www.housingpolicy.org/toolbox/index_MN.html.
The McKnight Foundation commissioned Himle Horner to research the attitudes and values of Minnesota citizens toward affordable housing. The full report, Research: Minnesota Values & Attitudes on Affordable Housing, is available at http://www.mcknight.org/region/hsg_eval.aspx.
The Citizen’s League, in partnership with individual cities, ULI MN/RCM, and the Family Housing Fund, lead the Citizen Involvement in Municipal (Re)Development Project. The cities of Apple Valley, Lake Elmo, and Brooklyn Park were selected to participate. With support from the Lincoln Land Institute, Stacy Becker authored the report, “Do Local Panning Processes Fuel NIMBYism?” To read the report, visit: http://www.fhfund.org/educational_materials_reports.htm
The Family Housing Fund has created the Twin Cities Community Land Bank as an innovative tool to help spur land acquisition and site control to meet the changing housing needs in Twin Cities neighborhoods and communities now and in the future. The Land Bank is designed to respond quickly and effectively to the challenges and opportunities of the foreclosure crisis and to further regional growth objectives linking housing, jobs, transportation, and education. For more information, visit: http://www.tcclandbank.org/.
Innovation in Design of Affordable Housing: A Report to the McKnight Foundation by the Housing Studies Program at the University of Minnesota. December 2008. To view the full report and other housing resources, visit http://www.mcknight.org/region/hsg_eval.aspx.
The Family Housing Fund, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of Saint Paul have supported the development of Live MSP (www.livemsp.org), a web portal with comprehensive information about home ownership assistance programs, city neighborhoods, and the advantages of city living.
Minnesota Green Communities, a collaboration of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, the Family Housing Fund, and Enterprise, is the largest green building program in Minnesota with more than 3,000 units completed, under construction, or under development. In partnership with Minnesota Housing, there are now uniform policy standards that ensure that all newly built and rehabbed affordable housing development meets green standards statewide. The initiative has set a goal to facilitate green retrofits of 10,000 units of existing housing over the next five years. To learn more, visit http://www.mngreencommunities.org/.
The Central Corridor Funders Collaborative is working with multiple partners to advance the housing policy, financing, and action needed to maximize affordable housing development and preservation on the Central Corridor. Additionally, the collaborative is working to advance transit oriented development opportunities for stops along the light rail line. To learn more, visit: http://www.funderscollaborative.org/.

Launching the Rethinking Housing Conversation

2009-02-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

On February 10, 2009, we held the first Rethinking Housing workshop. Architect, designer, and educator William R. Morrish facilitated the event with over 40 architects, designers, developers, funders, and policymakers participating. Key themes emerged, including:
1. Think and act very differently about the way we build housing in the future to fit the new economic and demographic realities;
2. Improve the ways we can make existing and new housing more green and sustainable;
3. Improve the housing regulation and production processes to be more clear and efficient;
4. Form stronger alliances and build new alliances across sectors;
5. Better connect with and educate the public and key decision-makers; and
6. Research, gather, and share good information.

To learn more about this event, explore the materials below.
Click here to download a summary report of the event (.pdf)
Click here to view speaker’s PowerPoint (.pdf)
Click here to view the workshop handouts (.pdf)