WORKSHOP ITEM - Erik Thorvig, Community Development Director
Title
FAIR HOUSING POLICY
Background
The Metropolitan Council’s Housing Policy Plan calls for local governments to adopt fair housing policies to be eligible to receive Livable Communities Act (LCA) funds. Additionally, all recipients of federal funds are required to certify that they will affirmatively further fair housing.
The city previously utilized LCA funds for the Woodland Development through the tax base revitalization fund. Adopting a fair housing policy at this time will prepare the city for any future grant awards by certifying that it will affirmatively further fair housing.
The attached policy was adapted from a model fair housing policy produced by the Metropolitan Council with assistance from the Housing Justice Center. Similar policies have been adopted by the cities of Coon Rapids and Shoreview. The purpose of the policy is to ensure fair housing issues brought to the attention of the city are responded to appropriately and that the city takes proactive action as necessary to remove barriers to fair housing and reduce potential for disparate impacts.
The proposed fair housing policy recognizes that the city has a limited role in the implementation of the Fair Housing Act. Since the city has a rental licensing program, some tenants will contact the city with fair housing complaints. The policy outlines a process to document and respond to these complaints. The process relies on referrals to agencies that directly enforce the Fair Housing Act or that are experts in fair housing concerns and can provide advice and assistance in addressing fair housing issues. The city will also provide fair housing information in multiple forms to interested parties.
Additionally, the policy requires the city to analyze housing inventory, city code and planning processes to identify impediments to fair housing. Direct federal grantees in Minnesota participate in a regional Fair Housing Implementation Council (FHIC), which produces recommendations to further fair housing. The city will consider whether the recommendations from the FHIC are appropriate for the City of Blaine and enact programs and ordinances as needed to implement the recommendations.
Recommendation
Council input is requested.
If there are no concerns at the workshop, there is a resolution on the November 18, 2019 City Council agenda for approval.