New Units (1996-2007)
2010 LCA Goals
% Progress Towards 2010 Goals
Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) Affordable Housing Goal, 2011-2020, New Units
Metropolitan Council Housing Performance Score
Out of 100 (100 = highest)
2008: 79
Housing Performance Score is generated by the Metropolitan Council’s Guidelines for Priority Funding For Housing Performance.
2008 Housing Performance Scores (PDF - 138 KB)
All Metro Communities
2007 Housing Performance Scores (PDF - 12 KB)
All Metro Communities
2006 Housing Performance Scores (PDF - 10 KB)
All Metro Communities
Units affordable at 50% or less of Regional Family Median Income
Total Housing Units
% Affordable
Households at 50% or less of Regional Median Family Income with Housing Problems
Total Households at 50% or less of Regional Family Median Income
% with Problems
Note: The median family income for the Twin Cities was $65,800 in 2000 (or $32,900 at 50% of median).
Housing affordability numbers are adjusted by family size. Housing affordability matches the number of persons in a family to units with different numbers of bedrooms (e.g. a 4-person family is matched to 2 bedroom units). Income limits to affordable housing costs are also adjusted higher for larger families (greater than 4 people) and lower for smaller families (less than 4 people).
Housing problems are defined as household cost burden greater than 30% of income and/or overcrowding (more than 1 person per room) and/or without complete kitchen and plumbing facilities.
In 2006, the city denied approval for an affordable housing development, prompting a discrimination lawsuit by the developer. A settlement of the lawsuit has led to a green light on the housing proposal and the creation of a citizen panel to review the city’s affordable housing policies. In spring 2007, the city has been considering the adoption of an inclusionary zoning ordinance, in which developers would be expected to include affordable units in their developments in return for incentives granted by the city.
Local residents of the faith-based advocacy group MICAH are working on getting strong housing policies in the city's comprehensive plan. For more information, call Renee at MICAH #(612) 871-8980 x 105.
An interview was conducted with an official from Forest Lake's planning or community development department in Spring of 2006, shortly after the Metropolitan Council's calculations for affordable housing need numbers were made public. A summary of key issues addressed in the interview is below:
According to the Met Council's recent report on "Determining Affordable Housing Need in the Twin Cites," Forest Lake's affordable housing need number is 312 units for 2010-2020. Our source felt that these goals were high and not feasible. Our source identified the following problems and obstacles to meeting these goals: high land costs and political opposition. The new affordable housing goals do not make a distinction between affordable rental and affordable for-sale housing, and our source felt that more rental housing may result. Our source felt that the new goals are lower than Forest Lake's LCA goals. Forest Lake plans to use the need number established in the Met Council's report as the affordable housing target in its comprehensive plan update.
Actions
Forest Lake does not keep a database tracking the supply of low- and moderate-income housing. It does not have any programs to develop and facilitate the development of affordable housing. We also asked our source about Forest Lake's use of some specific policies and programs. The results are summarized below:
Tools
PUD with smaller lots or density bonus
Zoning variances for low-mod housing
Density bonuses
Expedited zoning & approval for low-mod
Adjusted fees for low-mod housing
Adjusted lot sizes for low-mod housing
Allow accessory apartments
Set asides for low-moderate housing (i.e., inclusionary zoning)
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Local tax abatement for low-mod housing
Incentives for new construction technologies
Manufactured homes
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Mortgage Revenue bonds
Others
Forest Lake has not solicited proposals from the local HRA or other developers for building low- and moderate-income housing. It has not acted as a proposer or developer of low- and moderate-income housing. Our source indicated that Forest Lake has transit-oriented development opportunities, which will make a positive difference in its ability to produce more affordable housing. Our source felt that additional funding would not be sufficient for Forest Lake to accomplish its affordable housing goals.
Obstacles and Challenges
Our source felt that architectural and square footage requirements discourage or prevent adding to the supply of low-and moderate income housing. We also asked our source about some specific local practices and if they limit the development of low- and moderate-income housing. The results are summarized below:
Challenge Name
Lot size requirements
Data is not available on the amount of undeveloped land in Forest Lake that is zoned residential and allows ten or more units per acre. Our source felt that in order to meet its affordable housing goals, Forest Lake needs an affordable housing program and citizen education efforts.
