Hennepin is an urban county with a population of over 1 million. It includes 45 cities and one township. Twenty-four percent of the population of the State of Minnesota lives within Hennepin County. The city of Minneapolis is the county seat.
The Hennepin County Consortium Consolidated Plan presents a strategic vision for housing and community development. It includes a one-year action plan for expending 1995 HUD entitlements for the following programs: $4,629,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $1,637,000 in HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) and $133,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG). These funds will primarily be spent on housing, public services and neighborhood livability activities.
The Hennepin County Consortium consists of Urban Hennepin County, forty-three suburban communities representing the CDBG entitlement and the city of Bloomington, and the city of Plymouth. Bloomington and Plymouth have separate CDBG one-year actions plans.
As part of the consolidated planning process, the Hennepin County Consortium instituted a new citizen participation plan. This plan will serve as the foundation for developing stronger relationships in the community and in establishing a unified vision for community development.
The consortium supports and encourages the participation of citizens,
community organizations and other interested agencies in both the development
and evaluation of the plan. In developing the 1995 plan, three focus group
meetings were held in conjunction with Community Action for Suburban Hennepin
County (CASH) and two human service councils in developing funding priorities.
Two public meetings were held to solicit comments on the draft plan and a public
hearing was conducted before the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. Copies
of the draft and final plan were made available to the public either by request
or by accessing copies at the Hennepin County Regional Libraries.
Hennepin County, the largest county in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area had an increase in population of nearly ten percent between 1980 and 1990. Virtually all of the county's population gain occurred in suburban Hennepin County, which comprises the consortium. In 1990, Hennepin County's population exceeded 1 million and 664,000, or 64 percent, of the population resided in suburban Hennepin.
In 1990, the median household income for the county was $35,659. In Minneapolis, it was $25,324; in the first-ring suburbs, $34,778; the second-ring suburbs, $50,611. Thirteen percent of the suburban Hennepin County households in 1990 had incomes below 50 percent of area median income and an additional 15 percent of the households had incomes between 51 and 80 percent of median income. There are 14,500 suburban county households with poverty level incomes. The incident of lower-income households was significantly higher for minority households.
Seventy-two percent (185,771) of the consortium's households reside in owner-occupied housing units and 28 percent (72,607) are in rental units.
It is projected that Hennepin County will add 135,000 jobs to the 1990 base of 724,000 by 2010. Approximately 70 percent of these new jobs are expected to be in the second-ring suburbs.
Map 1 shows points of interest within Hennepin County.
Map 2 outlines the
low moderate income areas of the County.
Employment growth continues to occur in the areas of the county were there is a lack of affordable housing and where housing costs continue to rise. Minorities and persons living in poverty tend to be concentrated in a few neighborhoods. The housing stock and infrastructure in the first-ring communities are aging. Map 4 shows the percent of unemployment, based on 1990 Census Data, throughout the County.
Maintaining the existing housing stock as well as increasing the supply of affordable units are two critical needs identified in the plan. The major underlying problem for the homeless and special needs populations is the lack of safe affordable housing. Coupled with this is the need for supportive housing that will assist individuals transcend into maintain self- sufficiency.
The greatest housing need is for very low-income households who are paying a disproportion amount of their income for housing and large families living in overcrowded conditions.
In 1990, there were 270,917 year-round, housing units in suburban Hennepin County. Seventy-one percent were owner-occupied units and 29 percent were rental units. Vacancy rates at that time were 1.3 percent for owner-housing and 8.8 percent for rental units. Vacancy rates for rental units have continued to decline. In September 1994, rental vacancy rates were at 3.1 percent and many communities are at 1 percent or less.
In 1993, the average rental cost for a two-bedroom unit was $550. Low vacancy rates continue to push rents higher. The median sale price of an existing home has increased dramatically. The average median home sale increased from $114,447 to $123,355 between 1993 and 1994. The median price of a new single-family home was $143,500.
New single family units being constructed in suburban Hennepin County are typically not affordable to low-income household. There has been limited rental housing construction and that which has occurred is for units which exceed FMR. Vacancy rates are at an all time low and less owners are accepting tenants with Section rental assistance.
Low-income families, at or below 50 percent of area median income, have a significant housing cost burden. Nearly 75 percent of renter households median are paying more than 30 percent of incomes for housing and majority are paying more than 50 percent of their incomes for housing.
While homelessness in Hennepin County is most often associated with Minneapolis, due to the location of emergency housing services, the problems which contribute to someone becoming homeless are present in suburban Hennepin. Primary factors contributing to homelessness are; property as a result of unemployment and underemployment, domestic abuse, disability, youth issues, and the shortage of affordable housing. The major underlying problem is a shortage of affordable housing for the very poor and vulnerable homeless people. A continuum of services is needed from prevention, rapid exit from shelters, transitional housing, rental assistance, and increased units.
Maintaining the consortium's existing inventory of assisted housing is a challenge. There are approximately 4,400 project-based rental assistance units. Five out of eight properties subject to prepayment provision under Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act (LIHPRHA) of 1988 have issued an notice of intent phase out of low- income housing. The condition of public and assisted housing is very good, which can serve to motivate owners into market-rate housing.
Approximately 3,000 household are utilizing tenant based Section 8 rental assistance and 1,700 families or individuals are on Section 8 waiting lists.
The elderly and frail elderly currently make up a significant portion of the total special needs population. This trend will continue as the populations continues to age. There is a need for assisted living for low-income elderly. Only a few of the existing subsidized housing developments for the elderly have on site services.
The principal unmet need for persons with disabilities is safe, affordable housing and appropriate supportive services. Housing options are limited/non-existent for persons with mental illness, developmental or physical disabilities and persons with HIV and AIDS.
The consolidated plan provides housing inventory data on the size, distribution, condition and cost of housing . This information was matched with housing needs and problems of various types of households. Each housing problem, excessive cost burden, overcrowding, and distribution of affordable housing represents a symptom of the underlying market imbalances. The housing market shapes the pattern of poverty an influence in the county.
The many different elements and kinds of costs involved in the housing production process are large contributors to market imbalances. Direct costs such as land, materials. labor, financing cost effect Affordability. Many government policies indirectly affect the housing market. Those polices which present barriers to affordable housing include; property tax ; land use and development; and public opinion/opposition.
Several initiatives have been undertaken which further document the county's commitment to fair housing: County staff has attended fair housing workshops and a fair housing summit; $80,000 in 1994 and 1995 HUD entitlement funds have been allocated to fair housing activities of which $25,000 has been awarded to the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis for the Housing Discrimination Law Project; $8,000 of county CDBG administrative funds have been utilized toward an analysis of impediments to fair housing: $25,000 has been provided to the Suburban Hennepin County Anti-Racism Committee; and meetings in conjunction with the city of Minneapolis have been held to discuss fair housing issues with community organizations. The county will continue to support fair housing initiatives and work to remove impediments to fair housing
MAP 4 outlines areas of minority concentration throughout the County. For this map, minorities are defined as black, hispanic, oriental and native american.
Hennepin county Health and Human Services Division is involved in a lead-based paint abatement program. The purpose of the program is to conduct blood and environmental testing for elevated lead levels and to conduct partial lead-based paint abatement where necessary. First priority is given to children between six months an three years old. This is a preventative program, therefore housing conditions dictate whether to abate the lead- based paint. Identifying units at risk is a difficult process. It is estimated that approximately 75,000 housing units have some lead-based paint.
The number of residents 65 years or older has increased 42.8 percent in the first-ring suburbs, 100 percent in the second-ring suburbs and nearly 20 percent in the outer-ring suburbs between 1980 and 1990. Supportive services and facilities are necessary to serve this population group as it continues to grow.
It is estimated that there are 80,000 persons between 12 and 18 years in suburban Hennepin County and over 3,000 are in household considered below poverty level. There is not adequate access for these youth to programs and activities.
As of December 1994, Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association had 738 families on the waiting list. There is a need to further assist families in accessing adequate child care services, recognizing that this is essential in achieving self-sufficiency.
The housing stock and infrastructure are aging in the developed areas of the consortium. There is a need for continued investment into these neighborhood.
Communities need assistance in completing their accessibility evaluations and implementing the transition plan for public facilities. In addition there is a range of accessibility needs from transportation to housing.
Addressing the needs will require a culmination of resources. It will
involve the support of public, profit and nonprofit agencies. It will require
maintaining a dialogue with local units of government, human service providers,
health agencies a variety of public agencies, profit and nonprofit developers
and other interest and advocacy groups.
The consolidated plan established a unified vision for housing and community development. Through a coordinated approach it creates strategies to; maintain and expand the supply of decent affordable housing, provide viable communities and expand economic opportunities for low-income citizens.
The Hennepin County consortium major objectives are to;
Affordable housing priorities include: increasing and maintaining the supply of affordable housing, reducing the cost burden for low-income households, improving the living environments of low-income residents, promoting self-sufficiency, furthering fair housing choice for low-income and minority households and addressing the unique needs of low- income large families, elderly , homeless and persons with special needs.
Priorities to address homelessness include; homeless prevention, assist in the rapid exit from emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent affordable housing and supportive services,
Priorities for special needs populations include; expanding the supply of safe affordable housing and which when appropriate provides supportive services.
Neighborhood livability priorities include the eliminating slum and blight, encouraging redevelopment and improving services to low-income residents.
Community development priorities include; expanding and maintaining services to elderly citizens such as transportation, meals, home repair and senior centers; increasing access for low-income youth to community programs an the removal of physical barriers.
Hennepin County is the principal provider of programs and services to enhance the economic well-being of its lowest-income citizens. The county strategy is to continue to fund programs and services that help people get out of poverty. In addition, the county continues to coordinate efforts with other public and private agencies to develop new anti- poverty strategies and initiatives.
The county's strategy begins with the "vision" that "citizens accept a high level of individual responsibility...a community whose people are self-reliant to the extent possible...a community whose people are self-reliant to the extent possible, where family structure is fostered and children are born and raised in families that have the ability and emotional maturity to nurture and economically support them..."
Key strategies identified to help accomplish this vision focus on the coordination of county programs and services, in a manner that will facilitate individual self-sufficiency at the highest level possible.
The state is a major source of funding for housing by offering a wide variety of programs for rental and ownership housing and housing to meet the requirements of special needs populations. Local funds will also be available for housing and non-housing activities to support consolidated plan strategies. Further resources are anticipated to be available from the private sector through banks, foundations, private developers and other similar agencies.
Federal funds will be used in a reasonable and appropriate manner to leverage non-federal resources. Each project and activity will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to enhance opportunities for leveraging funds.
Funding provided from foundations, banks and other local non-federal sources will be used to satisfy the matching requirements for HUD programs, such as HOME. Hennepin County provides a portion of the HOME match contribution.
Through the implementation of the HOME, CDBG and ESG programs the consortium has initiated a coordinated approach in program delivery. Activities/projects are reviewed by communities, other appropriate governmental agencies and county departments. Homeless activities are recommended for funding in conjunction with the city of Minneapolis, through a joint task force.
The consortium will continue collaborative approaches and is committed to
working closely with other metropolitan agencies. It will look for
opportunities to maximize programmatic input and resources from housing
providers, health, mental health and service providers. Outreach will include
focus groups, public meeting, and task force participation.
A wide variety of activities will be undertaken in the to address the priority needs described in the consolidated plan. This plan is for the consortium HOME and the Urban Hennepin County CDBG and ESG program
Activities to be undertaken will include housing and non-housing community development activities such as; acquisition and rehabilitation of housing for affordable rental and ownership housing, transitional housing, neighborhood revitalization, accessibility improvements to benefit persons with disabilities, prevention of homelessness and shelter exit services, social services benefiting lower-income persons, fair housing and planning activities.
Activities will be implemented through an extensive collaboration with the local, state and federal government and numerous nonprofit housing and service providers.
Key projects are as follows:
| 1995 PROJECTS FUNDED BY CDBG ACTIVITY | ||
| ACTIVITY | PROJECTS | AMOUNT BY ACTIVITY |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Acquisition and Redevelopment | 13 | $ 841,021 |
| Public Facilities/Infrastructure Improvement | 8 | 185,649 |
| Removal of Architectural Barriers | 13 | 403,837 |
| Rehabilitation of Private Property | 28 | 1,288,646 |
| Planning | 17 | 154,932 |
| Public Services | 81 | 558,077 |
| Administration | 1 | 354,800 |
| Fair Housing Activities | 1 | 20,000 |
| TOTAL ALLOCATION | 162 | $3,806,962 |
| 1995 PROJECTS FUNDED BY HOME ACTIVITY | ||
| ACTIVITY | PROJECTS | AMOUNT BY ACTIVITY |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition & Rehabilitation-Multi-family Rental | 2 | $ 700,000 |
| Direct Homeownership Assistance | 2 | 263,300 |
| Special Needs Rental Housing | 1 | 200,000 |
| Transitional Housing | 1 | 90,000 |
| Single-Family Rental | 1 | 150,000 |
| Rehabilitation of Private Property | 1 | 80,000 |
| Administration | 1 | 153,700 |
| TOTAL ALLOCATION | 9 | $1,637,000 |
ESG funds will be utilized for transitional housing and rapid exit services.
With the exception of planning and administration and blight removal activities, all projects assisted with CDBG, HOME and ESG funds are directed to the lowest-income households throughout Hennepin County. Projects are disbursed throughout the county .
Map 5 plots some of the projects listed above. There are also five additional maps which enlarges map 5 for easier reading. Area wide activities, such as rehabilitation, are not plotted.
Hennepin County is the lead agency for the consortium. CDBG project implementation is primarily a municipal responsibility.
The consortium five year housing goals are as follows;
The City of Bloomington, Minnesota will use $558,000 of CDBG and $140,000 of program income funds during the 1995 calendar year to address the needs of low- to moderate- income persons. The activities include:
All but two of the activities listed above are city wide. The street improvement and aid for assessment projects will be carried out on the following streets: Grand Ave S, Harriet Ave S, and Pleasant Ave S between 102nd St to 104th St. The play area will be built at 4810 Nord Drive. Map 5 shows the location of these projects.
The rehabilitation and land acquisition activities will be carried out by the City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The Home Maintenance Program will be carried out by Senior Community Services. Various City offices will carry out the remainder of the activities.
During this year approximately 30 homes will be rehabilitated; 2 parcels of
land will be acquired; and 20 families will be assisted in the aid for
assessment project. Twenty families live in the development which will benefit
from the new play area; and 300 will receive services from the public service
activities.
First Time Homebuyers Loan and Development program: $ 146,050
Rehabilitation of Private Dwellings: $76,000
Child Care Assistance: $ 15,000
Lakeview Commons: $60,950
Public Services at the Parks: $ 5,000
Administration: $ 40,000
All the projects will occur City-wide except for the assistance to Lakeview Commons. That will be built at Niagra Lane and 18th Ave. No., near Parker's Lake.
The City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is responsible for the overall administration and implementation of the CDBG program. The City's Park and Recreation Department will implement the public services at the parks. The child care assistance will be administered by the Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association. The remaining activities will be administered directed by the HRA.
The City has no federal public housing within its jurisdiction. However, the City uses its CDBG resources almost exclusively to develop and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate income persons. This includes both single-family and multi-family developments. It supplements these efforts with its own annual tax levy. The City has worked and will continue to work with a number of for profit and not-for-profit housing development organizations for the development of affordable housing.
MAP 2 depicts low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
Ed Goldsmith,
HRA Supervisor
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
PH: (612) 509-5412
Fax: (612) 550-5060
