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1. Presentation - Housing Affordability Ladder GroupCity of Kalispell. Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758W7700 Fax (406)758-7758' REPORT TO. Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Lynn Moon, Community Development Housing Manager SUBJECT: Housing Affordability Ladder's recommendation of Dousing Priorities MEETING DATE: February 20, 2008 BACKGROUND: The Housing Affordability Ladder is comprised of agencies and individuals whose common interest and expertise in housing have brought them together to identify issues, set priorities, provide education and support and to seek resources to promote decent, safe, well -planned housing, especially affordable including workforce housing, within the Flathead Valley. J members first came together in late 2006 in an effort to unselfishly share, openly contribute : -Yr �x ork side by side from a foundation of the highest levels of knowledge, successes, and long 1em-i experiences from local to national levels. be idea of the "Ladder" came about during a discussion at one of the meetings of the group in which it became apparent that our citizens are at different rungs of the Housing Ladder. Beginning with people who are homeless, followed by renters who are subsidized; Habitat for Humanity partners; mutual self-help housing through Northwest Montana Human Resources; renters at market rate; first time homebuyer programs through USDA Rural Development and Glacier Affordable Housing Foundation for persons who income is at or below 80% of median income for Flathead County; homebuyer programs through Montana Board of Housing and local lenders; and finally market rate housing purchased by persons whose income allows them to purcl1ase a home without benefit of any type of subsidy. At the request of City Council, HAL has prepared its recommendations for housing priorities. 'Fhese priorities will be presented by one of the HAL members, Mike Smith of Glacier Bank. Several other HAL members will be attending the work session and will be available should anyone have any questions. Respectively submitted, 1 Ly n Moon Community Development Housing Manager HOUSING AFFORDABILITY LADDER'S RECOMMENDATION OF HOUSING PRIORITIES TO THE CITY OF KALISPELL Adopt an Affordable Mousing Strategy Plan Define goals and provide supporting strategies to create, preserve and maintain affordable housing for persons earning 140% of median income or below within Flathead County, in a way that is in keeping the needs and strategies of the community. The Plan would be designed to adhere to and build upon the goals and objectives of City of Kalispell Growth Policy. Adopt Inclusionary zoning In order to receive any development incentives, the City would require that a certain percentage of the units be affordable to persons whose incomes are at or below the Montana Board of Housing income levels in effect at the time of final approval by Council or 140% of HUD median income established for Flathead County, which ever is greater. Cash payments in lieu of the number of affordable housing units required could be made to receive the development incentives. Commit to financially support the funding of a centralized agency (ETHIC) to form the Community Land Trust that serves Flathead County at large It is envisioned that there will be other Land Trusts formed within the County such as the Whitefish Land Trust. It is possible and/or probable that some of Management services could contracted out to the (Flathead County) CLT — such as screening and selecting buyers who meet eligibility standards; ensuring that buyers have access to appropriate financing; monitoring of units to ensure owner occupancy and payment of taxes and insurance; preparation of loan documents; collection of ground lease payments, and managing the process of resale from one owner to the next. Other services that can be provided by ETHIC include: 4e Provide First Time Homebuyer Education/ Housing Counseling Agency •: Provide continuing education — post purchase re: budgeting, home maintenance, etc. •,*e Develop and maintain a "Housing Hotline" and a Housing Resource Center for persons of all income levels who are seeking information regarding housing, including: • First Time Homebuyer Programs — market and subsidized • Rentals - market and subsidized • Homeless shelters — including special needs, i.e., victims of domestic violence, Youth Shelters, persons with mental illness ■ Mainstream housing financing programs for persons of all income levels • Foreclosure prevention • Reverse Mortgage information • Housing development processes and incentives Identify and/or seek funds that can be used to develop workforce housing available to persons whose incomes are at or below 140% of median income for Flathead County Possible funding sources include: Cash payment in lieu of affordable housing units —development incentives for new construction Major employers Private Foundations Montana Board of Housing Programs USDA Rural Development Community Development Block Grant HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) Federal Home Loan Bank Programs Tax Increment Financing funds Identify and/or seek funds for a home repair program for people who currently live within the city limits of Kalispell and who have incomes less than 80% of median income for Flathead County Passible funding sources include: USDA Rural Development Community Development Block Grant HOME (Home Investment Partnership Program) Tax Increment Financing funds 10 When appropriate, contract with other agencies to provide services necessary to accomplish established priorities (Don't reinvent the wheel) Explore opportunities to allow impact fee deferrals for development of permanently affordable housing Explore opportunities to allow modification(s) of development standards to promote affordable housing development (Evaluate existing zoning, building and parking requirements to determine if current regulations or interpretations of regulations) Support local option tax as a mechanism to fund infrastructure in support of affordable housing development Support critical legislation and/or policies that eliminate or mitigate negative impacts on affordable housing development Adopt a policy that requires city -awned surplus land to be offered for affordable housing development that results in permanent affordability