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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 1/26/2021 - Memorandum From Lindsay Ex And Meaghan Overton Re: Work Session Item 1 - Housing Strategic Plan: Updated Slide With Community Feedback To Date Social Sustainability 222 Laporte Ave. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6758 MEMORANDUM DATE: January 25, 2021 TO: Mayor and City Council THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager Affordable Housing Executive Team1 FROM: Lindsay Ex, Interim Housing Manager Meaghan Overton, Senior City Planner RE: Item #1 Housing Strategic Plan: Updated Slide with Community Feedback to Date Purpose: As committed in the January 26 Work Session materials, this memo summarizes the community feedback heard to date regarding the draft Housing Strategic Plan and the initial set of prioritized strategies (from the 50+ that Council reviewed at the December Work Session to the 26 that will be discussed at the January Work Session). Key Themes Thus Far on the Initial Set of Prioritized Strategies: - Comments expressed appreciation that the plan covers the whole housing spectrum, and that the vision includes health and stability in addition to affordability, and the commitment to centering the plan and implementation in equity. - Most comments sought additional details or suggested more clarity in how specific priority strategies would be implemented or advocated for a particular strategy (e.g. relax occupancy regulations, limit rent increases, increase renter protections, additional supply). - Many comments shared personal stories about the struggle to afford housing in Fort Collins and shared that they may need to leave the city for a more affordable place. People across the income spectrum, from recent graduates to established professionals, noted the difficulty they have in finding housing they can afford. - Finally, several comments pointed out the need to clearly define roles of different entities (e.g. nonprofit, City, County, business) and ensure that all partners are working together, both within city limits and beyond. Suggested changes from the community will be addressed in the adoption draft, which included but are not limited to, adding language about the importance of supportive services; emphasizing how the various strategies achieve key outcomes such as supply, equity, or innovative solutions; further refining our housing goals; and reinforcing the need for dedicated funding for affordable housing. Who We Heard From: Comments on the draft plan are being solicited through January 27 from the community. Since the draft plan was released on January 13, over 130 community members have provided feedback. In addition, workshops were held with the Ad Hoc Committee, Home2Health Partners, three Boards and Commissions, and several community organizations. More specifically, community members and these groups have engaged in the following ways: 1 Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer; Theresa Connor, Utilities Executive Director; Caryn Champine, Planning, Development, and Transportation (PDT) Director; Julie Brewen, Housing Catalyst Executive Director; Dave Lenz, Finance Planning and Analysis Director; Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Director 2 105 community members submitted feedback thus far via the online comment form at www.fcgov.com/housing. since it opened and has also been advertised via direct emails inviting comment, email newsletters, on the Home2Health OurCity page, and through a press release. Workshops were held with the Ad Hoc Housing Committee and Home2Health Partners 2. Focus groups have been held with homelessness service providers, affordable housing developers, and the Chamber Housing Task Force. Staff has received feedback from the Planning and Zoning Board, Economic Advisory Commission (EAC), and the Affordable Housing Board. o Note that the EAC recommended adoption of the Plan at their January meeting (6-1 vote) and has also include a letter detailing their feedback on the plan (attached to this memo). and talk with staff about the plan, and two community members attended. Next Steps: Additional community engagement: Moving forward, staff has visits scheduled with ASCSU and the North Fort Collins Business Association on January 27 and the Chamber Local Legislative Affair Committee on January 29. The Affordable Housing Board, Community Development Block Grant Commission, and Planning and Zoning Boards will consider recommendations at their February meetings. Final revisions to the draft plan: A final summary of community feedback, with changes made to the plan, will be included in the First Reading packet (scheduled for February 16). Attachments Updated Power Point Presentation Memo from the Economic Advisory Commission regarding the Draft Housing Strategic Plan 2 Home2Health is a collaborative, two-year project led by the City and community partners including the Family Leadership Training Institute at CSU Extension, the Center for Public Deliberation at CSU, The Family Center/La Familia, the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities, and the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. Economic Health Office 300 LaPorte Avenue PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6505 970.224.6107 – fax fcgov.com MEMORANDUM DATE:January 25P th P, 2021 TO:Mayor and Councilmembers CC:Darin Atteberry, City Manager; Josh Birks, Economic Health and Redevelopment Director FROM:Connor Barry, Chair – Economic Advisory Commission; Renee Walkup, Vice-Chair – Economic Advisory Commission; and Members, Economic Advisory Commission for 2021 RE: 2021 HOUSING STRATEGIC PLAN Over the past three months, the Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) has reviewed the presentations and documentation regarding the Housing Strategic Plan. The presentations and documentation outline a set of strategies and guiding principles which the EAC believes are directionally correct and warrant general support The EAC believes that several key areas within the strategy are important to emphasize. Doing so will provide context to citizens of the City, promoting a better understanding of the constraints to housing availability and affordability. The EAC recognizes that the single largest problem facing affordability and attainability in Fort Collins is the supply of available housing. If expected development and population trends continue, as forecast in the City’s 2018 Trends and Forecast report, the City will exhaust its supply of buildable land by 2040. Other issues constraining supply include: o Water availability and costs, especially in growth management areas which contain the largest supply of undeveloped land. o Continued job growth, and the attendant increase in demand, outpacing housing growth will likely exacerbate the available supply in the future o The need for an updated and clear land use plan. A relevant plan will promote transparency in the City’s expectations for housing development and density in remaining areas of the City. o Potential risks of added traffic, pollution, and the need for critical services such as police and fire can further impact the additional supply available from new development. The EAC believe it is important to recognize that a single solution will not address affordability and attainability. We highlight support for two principles in the proposed housing strategic plan: Addressing equity and the historic impacts of decisions that have led to today’s housing system central to its strategy. Addressing community challenges that include both renters and homeowners, such as exploring changes to occupancy restrictions, removing barriers to allowed density, and evaluating land use code. The EAC believes that housing attainability and affordability are critical to the economic vitality of the city. The City is best served by a plan that articulates the preferences of the City for housing development that will best serve its citizens, and in turn, its economy. 1 Housing Strategic Plan Work Session Jackie Kozak Thiel, Caryn Champine, Lindsay Ex, Meaghan Overton January 26, 2020 Questions for Consideration 2 What feedback do Councilmembers have on the following: • Initial set of prioritized strategies? • Draft guiding principles? Do Councilmembers have any feedback on the quick(er) wins identified to date? CITY PLAN •Principle LIV 5: Create more opportunities for housing choices •Principle LIV 6: Improve access to housing …regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, age, ability, or background Strategic Alignment 3 COUNCIL PRIORITIES • Affordable and Achievable Housing Strategies • Equity and Inclusion • Reimagining Community Engagement STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Neighborhood Livability & Social Health •NLSH 1.1 Improve and increase…housing… affordable to a broad range of income levels. Step 8: Implement* (Spring +) Step 7: Consider Adoption* (Feb/Mar) Step 6: Prioritize Strategies* (Jan) Step 5: Evaluate Strategies (Dec) Step 4: ID Strategies, Criteria (Nov/Dec) Step 3: Engage Community (Oct/Nov) Step 2: Greatest Challenges (Sep) Step 1: Vision (Aug) Housing Strategic Plan Process Progress to Date 50+ Strategies Identified Thus Far Consultant Support Community Engagement, Priorities Peer Cities & Leading Authors Consultant Support & Leading Authors Initial Set of Prioritized Strategies (26) Evaluation Criteria 5 Identification, Evaluation, and Prioritization Process Step 4: ID Strategies, Criteria (Nov/Dec) Step 5: Evaluate Strategies (Dec) Step 6: Prioritize Strategies* (Jan) • Findings in previous City reports • Community engagement • Ad Hoc Committee, stakeholder and staff input • Best practices and peer cities •Outcome: Initial set of 56 strategies shared at the December Work Session • Two staff workshops to evaluate the 56 potential strategies • Evaluated using the criteria of vision, equity, feasibility, cost and impact •Outcome: Refined set of 26 strategies that meet the evaluation criteria • Holding workshops and conversations to refine the list • Council Work Session, Ad Hoc Committee, Home2Health Partners, Staff, Boards and Commissions, Community •Outcome: Final List of Priorities for the Adoption Draft 6 Communicating the 26 Strategies Brief Descriptions Strategy Name, Description, Outcome, Alignment with Community Recommendations, and Timeline Detailed Descriptions Strategy Name, Description, Why Prioritized, Timeframe, Outcomes, Lead Entity, Impacted Players, Next Steps, Secondary Greatest Challenges 7 Strategies by Timeline Quicker Wins (<1 year) 1. *Assess displacement and gentrification risk (New) 4. Implementation, tracking and assessment of housing strategies (Expand) 8. *Extend the City’s affordability term (Expand) 9. *Off-cycle appropriation to advance Phase One of the Land Use Code (LUC) Audit (New) 10. Refine local affordable housing goal (Expand) 13. *Recalibrate existing incentives to reflect current market conditions (Expand) 14. *Create additional development incentives for affordable housing (New) 17. Reconsider affordable housing requirements/funding as part of metro districts (Expand) 24. Support community organizing efforts in manufactured home communities and increase access to resident rights information, housing resources, and housing programs (Expand) 25. *Foreclosure and eviction prevention and legal representation (Expand) Summary: 10 strategies (3 new, 7 expanded) Key Outcomes: Assess and evaluate current programs; Initiate Land Use Code work; Support stability and preservation *Quick(er) wins identified by the Housing Ad Hoc Council Committee 8 Strategies by Timeline Transitional Strategies (1-2 years) 5. Advocate for housing-related legislation at state and federal levels (Expand) 7. Remove barriers to the development of Accessory Development Units (Expand) 12. Expand partnership(s) with local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to offer gap financing and low-cost loan pool for affordable housing development (Expand) 15. Explore/address financing and other barriers to missing middle and innovative housing development (New) 16. Remove barriers to allowed densities through code revisions (New) 18. Increase awareness & opportunities for creative collaboration across water districts and other regional partners around the challenges with water costs and housing (Expand) 21. Explore revisions to occupancy limits and family definitions (Expand) 22. Public Sector Right of First Refusal for Affordable Developments (New) Summary: 8 strategies (3 new, 5 expanded) Key Outcomes: Increase advocacy; Complete housing-related LUC changes; Develop new financing tools; Increase collaboration around water; Revisit occupancy; Preserve existing affordable inventory 9 Strategies by Timeline Transformational Strategies (2+ years) 2. Promote inclusivity, housing diversity, and affordability as community values. (Expand) 3. Implement the 2020 Analysis of Fair Housing Choice Action Steps (Expand) 6. Visitability policy (New) 11. Create a new dedicated revenue stream to fund the Affordable Housing Fund (Expand) 19. Bolster city land bank activity by allocating additional funding to the program (contingent on adopting additional revenue stream policy) (Expand) 20. Explore the option of a mandated rental license/registry program for long-term rentals and pair with best practice rental regulations (New) 23. Tenant right of first refusal for cooperative ownership of multifamily or manufactured housing community (New) 26. Small Landlord Incentives (New) Summary: 8 strategies (4 new, 4 expanded) Key Outcomes: Promote community values; Increase accessibility of units and Fair Housing; Additional funding for housing; Expand the land bank; Explore renter regulations & incentives; Preserve existing affordable inventory Transition to Implementation 10 2021: • Community Summit • Implementation Plan • Council Work Session this Summer Ongoing: • Biannual Implementation Process • Guiding Principles for Overall Prioritization Draft Implementation Process (2-years) 2. Revisit Priorities 3. Confirm Priorities 1. Assess Progress 4. Design Summit 1 2 3 4 Draft Guiding Principles • Center the work in people • Be agile and adaptive • Balance rapid decision making with inclusive communication and engagement • Build on existing plans and policies – and their engagement • Expect and label tensions, opportunities, and tradeoffs • Focus direct investment on the lowest income levels • Commit to transparency in decision making • Make decisions for impact, empowerment, and systems (not ease of implementation) 11 •Why: • No one has solved this – stay in testing & learning mode • Ever changing environment • Accountability & Transparency •When: Applied biannually to develop overall priorities • Evaluation criteria Individual strategies • Overall priorities Guiding Principles •How: With community, reviewed by decision makers, basis for design summit Ad Hoc Committee & Quicker Wins 12 August: Overall Focus & Priorities September: Challenges & Existing Conditions October: Housing Types & Zoning November: Housing Types & Zoning; Displacement and gentrification December: Displacement and gentrification; Funding & Financing; U+2, Rental licensing January: Strategy prioritization, Innovative Partnerships February: Plan Deep Dive March: Implementation, End-of-Term April: Where to Head Next Quick(er) wins moving forward: • Evaluate opportunities to increase and recalibrate affordable housing incentives in the Land Use Code • Assess displacement risk (mapping exercise) • Foreclosure and eviction prevention (TBD) Quick(er) wins requiring Council action: • Metro DPA Program (Resolution on Feb 2) • Off-cycle appropriation to advance Land Use Code audit (First Reading on Feb 16) Additional “quick(er) wins” may continue to be identified Public Comment Key Themes Thus Far: • Appreciation for plan approach, vision, and equity commitment • Identifying tensions and opportunities for dialogue • Personal stories about lack of affordability and stability • Desire for implementation and action • Need to clearly define roles • Emphasize partnerships Changes for Adoption Draft: • Clarifying various strategies based on feedback • More emphasis on outcomes • Additional language about supportive services, innovation • Further explaining and refining housing goals • Reinforcing need for dedicated funding • Additional storytelling 13 Stories We’ve Heard So Far 14 “I love Fort Collins, I was born here in 1990 and me and most of my family grew up here, it's heartbreaking to see how expensive everything has become, and it's made it almost impossible for middle class families to live anywhere in the city.” “I would love to see a prioritization on smaller, affordable homes for young, hard working citizens. As someone who doesn't come from wealth and isn't expecting an inheritance, no amount of fiscal responsibility on my end will make home ownership possible at this rate.” “I was able to review the Draft Housing Strategic Plan. The Plan may actually be underestimating the true toll of housing unaffordability in the City. I am a Civil Engineer working for the State who makes just under $100,000 per year, and I foresee eventually no longer being able to afford to remain in this area due to the cost of renting and home ownership. In many parts of the US, my salary would be more than sufficient to afford a significant down-payment on a small home mortgage…” “Remove the U+2 law. It's meant to target college students but is impacting someone like myself who lives nowhere near campus, but is renting a 4 bedroom house where one room in empty and used as storage. Getting a fourth renter in the home would help decrease the price for each individual and make it more accessible for a variety of pay scales.” “Rent costs keep rising while wages sit well below a livable wage. Add on a pandemic which is taking away hours and affording rent is a frightening challenge every month that stresses me out.” Step 8: Implement (Spring +) Step 7: Consider Adoption (Feb/Mar) Step 6: Prioritize Strategies (Jan) Step 5: Evaluate Strategies (Dec) Step 4: ID Strategies, Criteria (Nov) Step 3: Engage Community (Oct/Nov) Step 2: Greatest Challenges (Sep) Step 1: Vision (Aug) Next Steps & Implementation Key 2021 Dates: •January 7, 2021 – Initial Set of Strategies released •Full draft plan released the week of Jan 11 •Jan 7 - Jan 27 - Community review • Jan 26 – Council Work Session • Jan 27 - Feb 3 - Staff Revisions • Feb 16 – Adoption (1 st Reading) • April/May – Community Summit • Summer – Implementation Plan & Council Work Session Next Steps 15 Questions for Consideration 16 What feedback do Councilmembers have on the following: • Initial set of prioritized strategies? • Draft guiding principles? Do Councilmembers have any feedback on the quick(er) wins identified to date?