09-18-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes-September 18, 2006 3129 7. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, Authorize vice chairman to sign Resolution #2006-13. endorsing workforce housing study Wade Kline, Planner from the Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG), was present and provided information on a report that was drafted as a result of a workforce housing coalition created in 2005. The goal of the study was to focus attention on issues surrounding lower income individuals and the vital role they play in ensuring continued growth of the economy by filling key jobs and the means to promote affordable housing in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The coalition requested Metro COG to be the leader and the result is the regional workforce housing profile for the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, as presented today. He said a set of strategic initiatives were developed to help facilitate and maintain a non-competitive cooperative housing dialogue among communities and private sector interests to meet the projected market demand for workforce housing. Mr. Kline said currently there are an estimated 29,442 households earning between $19,500 and $52,OOO-approximately 37% of the total households in the area. The median income is $47,044. He said jobs continue to be created and the unemployment rate continues to be low in the metropolitan area, but since 2000, median household incomes do not appear to have kept pace with the rise in housing costs and prices. The study found that 50% of jobs pay less than $25,000 per year. A set of five strategic needs was developed to address the workforce housing demand, as follows: intergovernmental cooperation; education, communication and dialogue on the regional housing market; community acceptance of workforce housing developments; resources and rising costs; and assist development corporations to produce more housing at the lower end of the market. Mr. Vanyo asked how the strategic initiatives will be implemented. Mr. Kline was unsure what agency will proceed with the process, but said Metro COG may be involved. Mrs. Johnson attended the North Dakota chapter of the American Institute of Architects banquet last week and said a contest was held among builders, designers and contractors to develop a design for affordable homes. She suggested the designs be considered when looking at options for workforce housing. Mr. Wagner asked whether the figure regarding 50% of the local jobs earning less than $25,000 included only full-time employees. Mr. Kline said both full-time and part-time jobs were taken into consideration, including college students who work part-time. Mr. Wagner supports the concept, but does not necessarily agree with all the statistical information in the report. Mr. Vanyo said the focus needs to be on the strategic initiatives of the study, which he supports. MOTION, passed Mr. Vanyo moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to receive and file the Regional Workforce Housing Profile for the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area as presented by the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments; and to authorize the vice chairman to sign Resolution #2006-13, endorsing the findings of the study. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.