In This Issue:
- Metropolitan Council Committee Authorizes Transfer for Affordable Housing
- MAWSAC Discusses Draft Report
- TAB Discusses Regional Solicitation
Metropolitan Council Committee Authorizes Transfer for Affordable Housing
The Community Development Committee at the Metropolitan Council authorized a $4 million transfer from the general fund to the Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) in the Livable Communities Account. This amount would double the $4 million for LHIA approved earlier this year as part of the 2021 Fund Distribution Plan.
The Local Housing Incentives Account funds affordable housing and provides grants to create or preserve affordable housing, prioritizing deeply affordable, larger family units, and supportive housing for households experiencing homelessness.
Council staff explained the transfer will be used to help reduce racial disparities in housing stability and affordability by creating a range of housing options across the region. The funding is also tied to a planned pilot project for single family homeownership. The Council is currently planning the pilot program to make single family rehabilitation and construction investments. Metro Cities will share more information as the pilot program develops.
Contact Charlie Vander Aarde at [email protected] or 651-215-4001 with any questions.
MAWSAC Discusses Draft Report
The Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee (MAWSAC) this week heard a presentation and corresponding memorandum on recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to the MAWSAC as the committee works to compile its next report. Some considerations for the report include the challenge of promoting consistent approaches to land use for water supply protection given that land use authority lies with cities and the effect of local and regional economic factors on land use decisions.
As a part of the discussion, local partners were invited to share their experiences working in water protection. Valerie Grover from Dakota County spoke about collaboration in source water protection and emphasized the importance of funding for local partners doing this work.
The next step for the committee involves continued work by staff in drafting the MAWSAC report (based on committee input). While not on the agenda, the committee also discussed the current drought and the decision by some communities to impose water use restrictions. The DNR plans to convene a Minnesota Drought Task Force, which has not convened since 2012. The primary purpose of the task force is to coordinate and communicate with stakeholders any drought response actions taken across the state.
MAWSAC plans to meet next in September where it will discuss groundwater/surface water interactions. Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
TAB Discusses Regional Solicitation
During their meeting on July 21, the Transportation Advisory Board heard a presentation from Metropolitan Council staff on the 2022 Regional Solicitation. Staff presented several decision points for the TAB to deliberate for the 2022 solicitation based on recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee. The purpose of Wednesday’s meeting was for the TAB to give staff an impression of what they may have to work on as changes to the solicitation process/methodology are drafted and eventually voted on.
Some areas for potential change include:
- Modal funding ranges
- Application categories and purpose statements
- Application category minimum and maximum award amounts (i.e., fund at least one project from each functional classification type)
- Funding guarantees/limits
- Criteria weighting (i.e., weight safety higher in certain places)
There was debate over the appropriate funding balance for expansion projects versus other projects that do more to mitigate climate change impacts. Some on the TAB argued that the Council should invest in more transit. Others said there is no way to continue developing the region at current rates without more roads and infrastructure to accommodate that growth.
The TAB will entertain a similar discussion in a future meeting on other potential amendments to the solicitation process. Topics considered then will include scoring measures and methodology, applicant qualification and eligibility, and application release for public comment. Click HERE for a video of the meeting, which also includes an information item on equity in transportation.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.