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: 63
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.
Blaine has the largest supply of manufactured housing parks in the state; 16% of all city residents live in manufactured housing.
For more information on supporting manufactured home parks, an important source of unsubsidized affordable housing in your community, please contact Ned at APAC - #(651) 644-5525.
In December 2006, the City Council denied a conditional use permit for an apartment complex. The developer, Hans Hagen Homes, sued the city, asserting that the denial had no legal basis and was prompted by public outcry based on a fear of decreased property values. In the spring of 2007, the developer dropped the lawsuit and gave up on the development, stating a desire to maintain good relations with the city.
An interview was conducted with an official from the Blaine'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," Blaine's affordable housing need number is 1,267 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: lack of funding and resources. The new affordable housing goals do not make a distinction between affordable rental and affordable for-sale housing, and our source felt that rental housing may slightly increase. The new goals are similar to Blaine's LCA goals. Blaine does plan to use the need number established in the Met Council's report as the affordable housing target in its comprehensive plan update.
Actions
Blaine does not keep a database tracking the supply of low- and moderate-income housing. It has used the following programs to develop and facilitate the development of affordable housing: maintaining existing affordable housing stock. We also asked our source about the Blaine'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
Blaine 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 Blaine does not have any transit-oriented development opportunities. Our source felt that with additional funding, Blaine could accomplish its affordable housing goals.
Obstacles and Challenges
Our source felt that a lack of funding and resources 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
Our source reported that Blaine has about 50-60 acres of undeveloped land that is zoned residential and allows ten or more units per acre. Our source felt that in order to meet its affordable housing goals, Blaine needs funding and resources.
